Navi Mumbai: Shiv Sena workers held a protest on Monday against forest minister Ganesh Naik at the inauguration of certain healthcare projects, after they claimed their leader and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde’s name was left out of the invitation card. Shinde is also the guardian minister of Thane district.
The name of Shinde’s son, Kalyan MP Shrikant Shinde, was on the invitation card along with Shiv Sena Thane MP Naresh Mhaske. The demonstrators turned confrontational and blocked the Vashi-NMMC hospital entrance, blocked the vehicle of Naik and waved black flags to express their dissent over the exclusion of Shinde’s name from the official invitation card. Later, they went into the NMMC headquarters and raised slogans.
Responding to questions, mayor Sujata Patil stated that protocol had been observed and no name had been excluded from the invitation card. She added that Shiv Sena functionaries were politicising the matter and that their claims were entirely without basis. Ganesh Naik said, “I have nothing to do with who is invited and not. This is not my lookout. NMMC commissioner and mayor are competent authorities to answer.”
As Naik was about to arrive for the inauguration, Shiv Sena workers, led by Navi Mumbai Yuva Sena chief Aniket Mhatre, first protested outside the hospital in Vashi by stopping Naik’s car, showing black flags, and chanting slogans against him. This led to a tense situation ahead of the inauguration, but the police held back the Shiv Sena members. Some Shiv Sena workers attempted to climb the hospital gates to get inside, but they were stopped by the police. After this, Shiv Sena members, along with opposition leader in NMMC Vijay Chougule, went straight into the NMMC headquarters. There, they raised slogans against Naik and demanded a response from the municipal commissioner and secretary. They even tore the programme pamphlets.
Municipal commissioner Kailas Shinde stated that Eknath Shinde’s name was included in the brochure issued by the administration, but he explained that the brochure released by the mayor’s office had altered the name. It was said that someone had made an error. The commissioner assured Shiv Sainiks that action would be taken.
It may be recalled that on June 6 a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji was unveiled at the Navi Mumbai airport in the presence of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Eknath Shinde was not invited, and Shiv Sena leaders showed their displeasure. This was reflected in the cabinet meeting as well. Soon after that episode, another dispute has now surfaced again between Naik and Shinde. Monday’s controversy has triggered strong reactions from senior Shiv Sena leaders and close associates of Eknath Shinde, with Mhaske and transport minister Pratap Sarnaik accusing Navi Mumbai BJP leaders of repeatedly sidelining Shinde and warning of escalating the matter before Fadnavis.
Sarnaik said that while the Sena-led Thane Municipal Corporation has consistently adhered to Mahayuti alliance protocol, the situation in BJP-dominated civic bodies such as Navi Mumbai presents a contrasting picture. Incidentally, the BJP and Sena had fought the Navi Mumbai civic elections independently while the Sena shares power with the BJP in Thane. “The Navi Mumbai incident appears deliberate. I had already brought a similar matter to the notice of chief minister Fadnavis, who ordered an inquiry. Barely 48 hours later, another such incident has surfaced,” Sarnaik said. He added that he would raise the issue during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting and seek action, including suspension of officials found responsible.
Mhaske also hit out at Naik, saying leaders should focus on their own work instead of attempting to diminish the contributions of others. “Eknath Shinde’s name is etched in the hearts of the people. Such attempts cannot dent his popularity,” Mhaske said, while alleging that both he and Belapur MLA Manda Mhatre were kept uninformed about the inauguration until the last moment.
(With inputs from Manoj Badgeri)
