Raigad (Maharashtra), Feb 19 (IANS): Shiv Sena legislators from Raigad district today claimed that the BJP-led Maharashtra government deliberately did not invite local MP and MLA of the Sena for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the airport today afternoon.

The new airport, on completion, is supposed to relieve the burden on the Mumbai airport. Local Sena MLA Manoj Bhoir alleged that he and member of Parliament from Maval, Shrirang Barne, were deliberately not invited for the function. "It is a state-organised event, taking place at the hands of PM Modi.

The airport is located in Raigad district, in my constituency. Our MP, Shrirang Barne, represents the same area in the Lok Sabha, and still we both were not invited which is a violation of protocol," Bhoir said in a statement. "This is an insult to people's representatives....I condemn this act of the BJP-led government as it has insulted the people of Uran Assemly constituency which I represent," Bhoir said.

A Shiv Sena spokesperson said here that none of its ministers or legislators were attending the ground-breaking ceremony. Though the BJP and Sena are partners in the state as well as in the NDA government at the Centre, relations between the two are strained. Local Sena leader and former Thane Mayor Sanajy More had said yesterday that his party workers would stage a protest at the project site. Though his party welcomed the airport project, the BJP was excluding Sena leaders from the function for the sake of politics, More alleged.

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