Eye on polls, parties play Chhat puja politics

Aiming to woo north Indians in Mumbai for the BMC polls, the Congress and BJP have scheduled Chhat puja programmes on November 6. The BJP has invited chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as the chief guest at Juhu beach, while Congress Mumbai chief Sanjay Nirupam would also be leading another Chhat puja at Juhu on the same day.

The Shiv Sena has maintain a low profile by helping the devotees and not organising the actual programme. However, all three parties have accused each other for politicising the puja. “I organise Chhat puja every year. But BJP and Shiv Sena are politicising the programme eyeing the BMC polls. This year, they have invited the CM for Chhat puja,” Mr Nirupam said.

BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty said, “Mr Nirupam is unnecessarily politicising the issue and this will not fetch any votes for Congress.” Shiv Sena’s coordinator for north Indian cell, Vinay Shukla responded cautiously to the Chhat puja celebration. Shiv Sena has never celebrated Chhat puja, nor opposed it like the MNS a few years back.

At present, there are 19 north Indian corporators in the BMC, of which 10 belong to Congress, three to BJP and two each to Shiv Sena and NCP. There are around 90 wards in which the north Indian population wields an influence.