When the first-ever Lata Mangeshkar award for public service was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, the only person representing the government of Maharashtra was Industries Minister Subhash Desai. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray—whom Modi had called his younger brother before the Shiv Sena ditched BJP to form the MVA government—skipped the event altogether. Neither Uddhav nor his son and Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray were present at the event despite claiming to have a very warm relationship with the Mangeshkar family for decades.
Speculation is rife that Uddhav didn't attend the event as his name was not mentioned on the invitation card. Uddhav Thackeray had been invited by Mangeshkar family for the event, but the invitation card did not mention his name as the state's chief minister. The CMO felt this was against protocol. As CM, Uddhav's name should have been prominently mentioned on the card as he had been invited.
However, the political grapevine is abuzz with talk that Uddhav Thackeray skipped the event as he is upset with the Central government over alleged misuse of Central investigation agencies to target the MVA leadership. He is further miffed that his family members (brother-in-law Shridhar Patankar is also facing the ED's wrath and his properties have been attached by the agency) are also being harassed.
Housing Minister and senior NCP leader Jitendra Awhad expressed unhappiness that the CM's name had not been mentioned on the invitation card.
“Mangeshkar family avoided mentioning the name of CM on invitation. This stand taken by them is surprising. Mangeshkar family has lived in this state and has become hugely popular. This action by them is insult of 12 crore people of Maharashtra,” tweeted Awhad.
