Eknath Shinde was not invited to the Shivaji statue unveiling at Navi Mumbai International Airport. The omission prompted protests from his camp, opposition jibes and CMO notices over protocol.
A controversy over an invitation to a high-profile event at Navi Mumbai International Airport has triggered fresh speculation about internal tensions within Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance. Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde was allegedly not invited to the unveiling of a 20-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the airport on Maharashtra Statehood Day, despite his ministry’s direct oversight of CIDCO, one of the key agencies involved in the project.
The event, organised by Adani Airport Authority and CIDCO, was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, former Raigad Guardian Minister Aditi Tatkare and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik. Sources claimed that Shinde was not informed about the programme, while Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar was also left off the guest list.
The omission has sparked political controversy, with leaders from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction alleging that the snub was not accidental. State minister Sanjay Shirsat voiced strong displeasure, suggesting that sections of the bureaucracy were functioning under political pressure and attempting to deny due credit for the project.
The issue has also provided ammunition to the opposition. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve mocked Shinde’s position within the ruling alliance, using the incident to highlight what he described as growing strains among Mahayuti partners.
Amid mounting criticism, the Chief Minister’s Office moved swiftly to contain the fallout. The CMO issued show-cause notices to both CIDCO and the Adani Airport Authority, seeking an explanation for the alleged violation of official protocol and the exclusion of the Deputy Chief Ministers from the programme.
