Shinde not invited to NMIA Shivaji statue unveiling, Sena raises issue in Cabinet

According to sources, Fadnavis said he had himself questioned the absence of both deputy chief ministers at the event. “When I left for the Navi Mumbai programme, I had asked where Shindeji had reached,” the Chief Minister is learnt to have told ministers during the meeting.

Sources said Fadnavis assured ministers that the government had taken the matter seriously and that an inquiry would be conducted.

The Chief Minister’s Office has already sought an explanation from Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) and CIDCO regarding the circumstances under which Shinde was allegedly not invited to the event, sources said.

According to sources, NMIAL informed the CMO that the programme was a private event and assured the government that such issues would be avoided in the future.

The controversy stems from Saturday’s unveiling of a 12-foot bronze bust of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Terminal 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport by Fadnavis. The event was attended by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, local legislators, and senior officials.

The absence of Shinde from the event triggered a political row, with leaders of the Shinde-led Sena alleging that the Deputy Chief Minister had not been invited despite the programme being held in Thane district, where he serves as guardian minister.