Overview
- The name of Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde was left off invitation cards for a Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation event, triggering anger from Shiv Sena workers.
- Shiv Sena activists waved black flags at BJP minister Ganesh Naik, staged a sit-in at the municipal commissioner’s office led by corporator Vijay Chougule, and disrupted the inauguration.
- Belapur MLA Manda Mhatre walked out of the programme after alleging she was pushed during the ribbon-cutting and saying the revised invite improperly credited Naik with funding for local projects.
- Thane MP Naresh Mhaske said the civic commissioner first included Shinde’s name and the mayor’s office later removed it, while Mayor Sujata Patil defended the invitation as following municipal protocol and Ganesh Naik denied ordering any disrespect.
- The episode, reported on Monday, has led Shiv Sena leaders to demand an inquiry and threatens to escalate local tensions within the ruling Mahayuti alliance as party figures say they will raise the matter with higher leadership.