No political fireworks at inauguration of Builders Association of Navi Mumbai

The inauguration of 15th Builders Association of Navi Mumbai (BANM), which was expected to be an event for political fireworks with arch rivals Belapur MLA Manda Mhatre and former Thane guardian minister Ganesh Naik sharing the same dais, turned out to be a damp squib.

Though the arch rivals shared the stage, they did not acknowledge each others' presence at the event. When the organisers asked Naik to give a speech, he refused, and instead asked mayor Sagar Naik to address the gathering in his place. Whereas, Mhatre took a dig at the organisers and referred to her statement made last year during the exhibition.

"I had last year made a statement at this very forum that you [developers] will have to mention my name in the invitation card and today that day has come," said Mhatre, while concluding her speech.

Naik and Mhatre were guest of honours at the function. Present on the dais were Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Suresh Haware and Naik's estranged nephew Vaibhav Naik, along with former Thane MP Sanjeev Naik and the mayor.

This is the first time that both Naik and Mhatre have shared the stage after the assembly elections. Mhatre had trounced Naik during the elections held in October. The political atmosphere of the satellite city was charged up as there were talks of Naik joining BJP. However, Union minister Nitin Gadkari too, did not speak to reporters on this subject.

Both Naik and Mhatre were members of Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party before Mhatre parted ways to join BJP ahead of assembly polls.