Archive · 5 Oct 2026
BJP-BVA Dispute Escalates Over Bolinj Sports Complex Inauguration
A new sports complex and auditorium in Bolinj became the subject of a disagreement between the BJP and BVA.
BJP leaders said their MP, Hemant Savara, was left off the invitation.
They held their own opening ceremony and then protested for nearly six hours.
Many supporters gathered, so police brought in more officers.
Mayor Ajeev Patil said the event followed the rules and that invitation cards had not been printed.
He also said the city was willing to show the facility to representatives and let them inaugurate it.
The BJP ended its protest, and BVA held the official opening later that day.
Patil said officials could face discipline if an investigation found negligence.
The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation built the Bolinj sports complex and auditorium at an estimated cost of ₹69 crore.
BJP leaders said MP Hemant Savara was omitted from the invitation and held their own ceremony around 11 a.m. Saturday.
BJP office-bearers staged a sit-in lasting nearly six hours as BJP and BVA supporters gathered and police reinforced security.
Mayor Ajeev Patil denied a protocol breach, saying invitations were extended to dignitaries and invitation cards had not been printed.
BJP ended its protest, and BVA held the official inauguration around 6:30 p.m.; Patil said disciplinary action could follow if an official's negligence was found.
- Who
- The BJP, the ruling BVA, Mayor Ajeev Patil, and local elected representatives.
- What
- A dispute over protocol and credit for opening a municipal sports complex and auditorium.
- When
- Saturday; the BJP held its ceremony around 11 a.m. and BVA held the official inauguration around 6:30 p.m. Mayor Patil addressed the dispute on Sunday evening.
- Where
- Bolinj, Virar West, in the Vasai-Virar area.
- Why
- BJP leaders objected that MP Hemant Savara was omitted from the event invitation; Patil denied a protocol breach and said the event followed rules.
BJP position
Mayor and BVA position
Invitation and protocol
BJP position
BJP leaders said MP Hemant Savara's name was omitted from the invitation and called it a violation of political protocol.
Mayor and BVA position
Mayor Ajeev Patil said dignitaries were invited according to protocol and that invitation cards had not been printed, so there was no protocol breach.
Opening the facility
BJP position
BJP representatives held their own ceremony, while MLA Sneha Dube-Pandit objected to former MLA Kshitij Thakur inaugurating the site.
Mayor and BVA position
Patil said he had proposed a joint inauguration and asserted that the civic body would decide who inaugurated the facility; BVA later held the official opening.
Project readiness and political motives
BJP position
BJP leaders conducted an opening despite the mayor questioning how they could do so after protesting that the project was incomplete.
Mayor and BVA position
Patil called the allegations baseless and accused the opposition of politicizing civic development and misleading the MP and Chief Minister.
- Project
- Sports complex and auditorium (also referred to as a theater or Natyagruh)
- Estimated cost
- ₹69 crore
- Project authority
- Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation
- Reported delay
- More than eight years
- BJP ceremony
- Around 11 a.m. on Saturday
- BJP sit-in
- Nearly six hours
- BVA inauguration
- Around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday
- Mayor's response
- Patil said invitations were extended according to protocol, denied a breach, and warned of discipline if official negligence was found.
