The controversy began on Monday when invitation cards for a high-profile civic event failed to include the name of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Ganesh Naik had arrived to inaugurate various healthcare facilities developed by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. However, the absence of Shinde’s name from the invitation triggered strong resentment among Shiv Sena members and supporters.
Notably, the invitation card included the names of Member of Parliament Naresh Mhaske and Shrikant Shinde, son of Eknath Shinde. Despite their inclusion, the omission of the Deputy Chief Minister’s name sparked outrage. As the programme commenced, a large number of Shinde supporters gathered at the venue and began protesting.
Shiv Sena leader and Thane Member of Parliament Naresh Mhaske also expressed anger over the issue. Launching a sharp attack on Ganesh Naik, Mhaske stated that the Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner had informed him that the administration had originally included Eknath Shinde’s name in accordance with state protocol. Mhaske further claimed that the Commissioner told him that Ganesh Naik and the Mayor had subsequently removed Shinde’s name from the invitation cards.
Amid the growing controversy, Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Manda Mhatre also voiced her displeasure. She alleged that the revised invitation card wrongly credited Ganesh Naik for the projects and falsely claimed that the initiatives had received financial support through allocations from his ministerial funds.
Expressing frustration, Manda Mhatre said that public work should be carried out in a manner that preserves everyone’s dignity and respect. She alleged that despite being an elected legislator, she was not given due recognition at the programme. Stating that she was tired of repeated mistreatment, Mhatre declared that she would make a decision regarding her future course of action.
In protest, Mhatre walked out of the event, openly opposing the programme associated with Forest Minister Ganesh Naik. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena workers angered by what they described as an insult staged demonstrations outside the venue where the new civic healthcare facilities were being inaugurated. Protesters waved black flags at Ganesh Naik and raised slogans in support of Eknath Shinde, who serves as the Guardian Minister of Thane district.
The incident has exposed growing tensions within Maharashtra’s ruling alliance, with disputes over political recognition and protocol now spilling into public events. The controversy surrounding the omission of Eknath Shinde’s name has intensified political friction in Navi Mumbai and drawn attention to emerging fault lines between key leaders of the alliance.
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