Pune, Dec 24 (IANS): The Congress on Friday performed a token 'bhoomi pooja' of the proposed Pune Metro Railway project, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled for the formal function here.

Former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, under whose tenure the project secured all final approvals to put it on track, performed the 'pooja' at Swargate area of the city in the presence of a large number of Congress activists.

Later, speaking to media persons, he demanded to know why the Pune Metro was delayed by the Modi government and priority accorded to the Nagpur Metro.

He accused the state BJP of organising Saturday's function taking into consideration the forthcoming civic elections in the city and other major municipalities across the state early next year.

Chavan said recently, a proposal to get the Pune Metro inaugurated by Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar had been passed along with Congress support at an all-party meeting of Pune Municipal Corporation.

Now, the PM will perform the bhoomi pooja for the prestigious Rs 11,420 crore project and Pawar will be attending the function, he said.

Last Tuesday, Pune Mayor Prashant Jagtap, who belongs to the NCP, had even threatened to boycott the PM's event and organise a separate event if Pawar was not invited.