After the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, politicos are busy paying respects to the almighty, especially the ones who managed to pull off victories in the February 16 polls.
For Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, the polls were a matter of prestige in the backdrop of challenges posed by political rivals. After the elections, on Friday, his family members offered prayers to Lord Ganesha at Siddhi Vinayak temple in Prabhadevi.
Leaders of BJP, Shiv Sena’s partner in the alliance, which increased its tally from 28 in 2007 polls to present 31, too are thankful to God. “I had prayed to lord Ganesha hoping my party does well in the polls. Since, the mandate is with us now, I will offer prayers to the lord. I will head to Shirdi and Tirupati Balaji later to express gratitude. You will see me bald in next few days,” said Raj Purohit, president of Mumbai unit of BJP.
Functionaries of Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), too, said visiting temples is on their mind. Tushar Aphale, MNS’s H-west zone head, said, “Following our good performance, our activists will perform poojas at goddess Jari Mari aai’s (mother) temple.” The party has won 28 seats compared to only seven in the previous election.
According to sources, thronging Shirdi and Tirupati Balaji rank high as they seem to be favourites amongst politician-devotees. Ravalnath, Anganewadi (both in Sindhudurga) and Ekvira Devi (Lonavala) temples will be visited by candidates with roots in the Konkan region. “Poll tickets were distributed late, so not many candidates could make a wish in person at temples,” sources said.
However, not all winners feel the need to visit some or the other holy place. Pravin Chheda, who won a crucial tie against BJP’s Bhalchandra Shirsat in ward number 124 (Ghatkopar), said those who voted him ‘were his only Gods’. “I will be visit them now,” said Chheda, who had left BJP to join Congress a few weeks before the polls.
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