From plugging fissures in the alliance to maintaining law and order in the state to preparing for a severe drought, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has plenty on his plate.

Days after squabbling over MLC candidates, the BJP and Shiv Sena saw a full-blown face-off over an audio clip which refers to Rs 500 crore being routed to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil through Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde to weaken the former’s agitation.

Sources in the BJP said the Sena’s response appeared to be directed at the CM. “Why else would a senior minister such as Uday Samant name all three BJP leaders allegedly featured in the clip before it had been authenticated? Similarly, Ramdas Kadam alleged that the clip was intended to tarnish (deputy CM) Shinde’s image,” a source said.

A senior BJP minister alleged that attempts to unsettle Fadnavis had become a recurring feature of the coalition.…