BJP boycotts Women’s Day event over missing Maharashtra CM Fadnavis’s name

ULHASNAGAR: Differences between ruling allies resurfaced in the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) on Sunday when corporators of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) boycotted a Women’s Day programme organised by the civic body. The boycott came after the invitation card for the event allegedly did not carry the name of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The event was organised by the UMC’s Child Welfare Department under the guidance of Mayor Ashwini Kamlesh Nikam, who was elected on a Shiv Sena ticket. The programme was held to mark International Women’s Day and to honour women from the city who have made a distinct contribution to society.

According to BJP leaders, the invitation card mentioned the names of Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Member of Parliament Shrikant Shinde. However, they claimed that the name of CM Devendra Fadnavis was missing, which they said was mandatory as per protocol.

The invitation cards were reportedly distributed to several women achievers in the city, corporators, and party office-bearers. While the card included the names of the Deputy Mayor and BJP MLA from the city, Kumar Ailani, BJP leaders said the omission of the chief minister’s name was a matter of concern.

BJP district president and party group leader in the UMC, Rajesh Vadhrya, alleged that the omission was deliberate. “If the name of the Deputy CM was mentioned on the invitation, it was mandatory as per protocol to include the name of the CM as well. Since this was not done, we decided to boycott the programme,” he said.

Vadhrya also demanded action from UMC Commissioner Manisha Awhale against the civic officials responsible for issuing the invitation without following protocol.

Responding to the controversy, Mayor Ashwini Nikam said the programme was not political in nature. “This was not a political event. As a woman mayor, along with the woman municipal commissioner, we organised this programme to honour women who have contributed to society and created their own identity. It is not right to politicise such an event,” she said.

Meanwhile, UMC Public Relations Officer Ajay Sable said he was not aware of any issue regarding the invitation card.