The controversy over the inauguration of the flyover, began when Maharashtra Military Foundation (MMF) announced that it would no longer wait for political bigwigs to throw it open to the public.

Mayor Vatsala Andekar, however, hurriedly requested MMF office-bearers to wait for a while. She convinced them that Joshi was scheduled to arrive here on November 9, and wouldinaugurate the flyover then. While MMF office-bearers conceded, the Mayor's office today confirmed the CM will not inaugurate the flyover. Meanwhile, local politicians say the strained relationship with former minister Shashikant Sutar, described as the ``architect of Kothrud,'' is the reason for the CM's reluctance to attend. After Sutar was unceremoniously dropped from the ministry, Joshi and he have not shared the dais at a public function. Sutar had even attacked Joshi on the floor of the Assembly.

Sena workers feel Joshi is not willing to inaugurate the flyover, since Sutar's presence at the function is mandatory, as he is the local MLA.Mayor Vatsala Andekar's office on Sunday confirmed that Deputy Chief Minister had agreed to inaugurate the flyover on November 11. are rife with speculation over fixed for Monday, with several Party sources said that Sutar feels aggrieved as he was not given ministerial berth, even after the Dudhat Commission absolved him of all the charges raised by eminent socialworker Anna Hazare. On the contrary, the BJP quickly accommodated Mahadeo Shivankar after he was absolved by the Commission.

Sutar supporters allege that Joshi deliberately did not accommodate him in the ministry because he was emerging as a powerful force in state politics. They claim that Joshi is feeling guilty of attending a prestigious function in Sutar's constituency. They also maintain that the CM is particularly worried about the possibility of Sutar launching yet another public attack against him. They feel that Joshi could not afford to take on Sutar, since he was already surrounded by Navales and Gavandes and was passing through a turbulent phase because of a writ petition filed against his son-in-law, Girish Vyas.