Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray skips PM Modi’s Metro inauguration in Pune

While the Shiv Sena cited no reason officially for Thackeray skipping the event, party leaders said that the chief minister wants to send out a strong message to the prime minister against the alleged harassment of Sena and MVA leaders by the Centre.

PM Modi is slated to inaugurate Pune Metro stretches on two corridors at 11.30 am today (Sunday). (Express/Ashish Kale)

WHILE PRIME Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Pune city on Sunday to inaugurate the 12-km stretch of the Pune Metro, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray decided to stay away from the mega event. Sena’s mouthpiece, Saamna, has also completely blacked out the event as it made no mention of the PM slated to inaugurate the Metro rail service.

🗞️ Subscribe Now: Get Express Premium to access the best Election reporting and analysis 🗞️

While the Shiv Sena cited no reason for his skipping the event, party leaders said the CM wants to send out a strong message to the PM that “whatever his government is doing against Sena and MVA leaders, he has not liked it.”

PM Modi inaugurated the Pune Metro stretches on two corridors at 11.30 am on Sunday. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Urban Development Department Minister Eknath Shinde, who is a Sena leader, attended the inauguration ceremony.

When asked about the CM staying away from the event, Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, “The CM skipped the event, but sent our minister Eknath Shinde. In the absence of the CM, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar represented the government.”

When asked whether the CM had travel restrictions post his surgery last year, Raut said, “I don’t know whether this was the reason. I am not the government spokesperson. This is something which the government should clarify.”

Sena leaders claimed the CM did not want to share the dais with PM Modi since his government is targeting the party leaders through investigating agencies. “When Sena leaders are being harassed brazenly by the Modi government through agencies like ED, the CM sharing the dais with the PM is like giving sanctity to the Centre’s actions. The CM wants to express his anger at whatever the Modi government is doing,” a senior Sena leader close to Thackeray said.

Story continues below this ad

Another Sena leader said, “The Modi government’s relations with all non-BJP governments are deteriorating by the day. For this, no one else can be blamed than the Prime Minister himself. He is leading a government that is targeting opposition leaders through the central agencies. The CM has done the right thing by skipping the event.”

While the Sena mouthpiece, Saamana, carried a full front-page advertisement released by the BJP about the inauguration of the event, the newspaper, however, did not carry a word about it in its news column.

However, last week, Ajit Pawar said that the Chief Minister had been invited to the event. “But it will all depend on whether he is in a position to travel post his surgery.”

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories