CM and Big B both were scheduled to attend the fest on Sunday but the CM took U-turn and attended Saturday’s session at the fest. He had previously confirmed for Sunday.

Now the media is speculating that CM’s decision was more party motivated than personal.

Reportedly, he had faced criticism at the hands of Congress leaders for sharing the stage on Wednesday with Big B at the Bandra-Worli sea-link inauguration in Mumbai.

However, the organizers of the event said that he will be attending the main event on Sunday.

"We have invited the CM as a chief guest for the valedictory function. So far we have not received any communication that the CM will not attend it,” said Satish Desai, president of welcome committee at the event.

CM denied rumors
On hearing the news that he had attended the literary fest a day ahead to avoid bumping into Big B, Chavan clarified by saying, "I was on my way to Baramati. I thought I could meet and spend some time with the writers and literature lovers. Hence, I visited the Sammelan today. I can still attend the meeting on Sunday as a common man."

He also mentioned that his party had not instructed him to avoid Bachchan.

The Congress party in general avoids association with the Bachchans due to their strained relationships with the Gandhis and close association with Samajwadi party and Gujarat CM Narendra Modi.

BJP offended with Congress’s attitude towards Bachchan
After hearing about CM Chavan’s attempt to avoid Big B at the literary fest, BJP criticized the Congress for its biased and unfair attitude towards the superstar.

“It was not just an insult to Bachchan but it amounts to an insult of arts, culture and our traditions. Besides it is undemocratic,” said spokesperson for BJP Prakash Javadekar.

Even Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray took offence and said, “Shah Rukh Khan, who took cudgels on behalf of Pakistanis, will do for the Congress, but it is allergic to Amitabh.”