Names missing from invitation, Sena MPs, Supriya Sule to skip PM function today

Sena MPs Shirang Barne from Maval and Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil from Shirur have received “official invitation cards” from which their names are missing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the third Metro line — from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar — on Tuesday

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the third Metro line — from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar — on Tuesday, two Shiv Sena MPs from Pune have decided to skip the function to be held at Balewadi. Baramati MP Supriya Sule, daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, too has decided to stay away from the function.

The reason: their names are missing from the invitation cards printed by the PMRDA, which is implementing the third Metro line. Sena MPs Shirang Barne from Maval and Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil from Shirur have received “official invitation cards” from which their names are missing. “I have received an invitation card, which carries only the name of BJP MP Anil Shirole, while the names of other three MPs are missing,” said Barne, adding this was how the BJP treats MPs from Pune.

Adhalrao said he has received an invitation card from the PMRDA, in which his name is missing. “It has the names of Shirole, ministers Vijay Shivtare and Dilip Kamble besides the CM and the Governor,” he said, while slamming the BJP’s attitude. Adhalrao said he has received another invitation card, which is circulating on WhatsApp. “This is not an official card. It’s circulating on WhatsApp. It carries the names of all MPs from Pune and all MLAs,” he said.

While Sule was not available for comment, her office said the MP has not received any invitation from the PMRDA. “We learnt that when people called up the PMRDA about the missing name of the Baramati MP, PMRDA officials hastily printed her name on a blank sheet along with other names and circulated it, making it look like an invitation card,” Sule’s office said.

Both Barne and Adhalrao said they received the invitation from the PMRDA chief. “But we are away in Delhi attending Parliament session. We will not be coming,” they said. Barne said it seems to be a function only for BJP leaders. “I don’t attach importance to their functions…,” he said. Adhalrao said, “…let them carry out their function the way they want it.”

The invitation sent to Sena MPs Barne and Adhalrao does not have their names.

When contacted, PMRDA CEO Kiran Gitte said their official invitation card has the name of Shirole through whose area the third Metro line will pass. Sule’s office said the third Metro line will also pass through parts of the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency. “Yet her name is missing,” her office said. “I have personally called up all the MPs and invited them to the function,” Gitte said. Both Barne and Adhalrao confirmed they received calls from Gitte, urging them to attend the function.

BJP city president Yogesh Gogawale said as it was a government function, the PMRDA will go by protocol. “We don’t know who has been invited and who has not been. It’s entirely as per protocol,” he said.

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When contacted, District Guardian Minister Girish Bapat said the PMRDA printed 30,000 invitation cards. “The names of all MPs and MLAs have been printed on it. It’s wrong to say names of MPs are missing,” he said. Adhalrao said, “It seems the second invitation card has been hastily prepared so that it does not lead to any controversy. Bapat is trying to save face.”

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

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