The occasion, marking the birthday of Lord Ganesh, is generally a low-key annual ritual.
This year’s Ganesh Jayanti (Thursday, January 26) has already assumed great political significance, as parties compete with each other to consolidate their respective vote banks. The occasion, marking the birthday of Lord Ganesh, is generally a low-key annual ritual.
The main epicentre of celebration will be Mumbai’s famous Siddhivinayak temple at Prabadevi, where devotees gather to participate in processions and puja. Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections on February 16, politicians in their respective areas have decided to commemorate the occasion with pomp and revelry.
NCP general secretary Dinkar Tawde said, “At election time it is unthinkable to skip Ganesh Jayanti celebrations. It provides us an opportunity to mobilise our workers, who take initiatives for the festival.”
Jogeshwari (East) Shiv Sena MLA Ravindra Waikar, who is the architect of the Ichhapurti temple, has set the stage for Ganesh Jayanti celebrations in advance. A member of the temple trust said, “This year the celebrations are going to be special, with larger public participation. This is also a way to re-connect with the people living in the constituency.”
Whether it is minister of state for housing, Sachin Ahir (NCP), or minister for health Suresh Shetty (Congress), the celebrations are high on politicos’ agenda. Sources in the Siddhivinayak Trust informed us that there was a long line of politicians wanting to perform a special pooja on Ganesh Jayanti day.
Officials in the state election commission have urged the politicians not to reserve public spaces or grounds to mark the celebrations, as it could amount to violation of the code of conduct. But that hasn’t deterred political parties attempting to make the most of the religious event.
A senior election commission officer said, “There’s nothing objectionable about individuals visiting a temple to seek divine blessings. But we have to closely monitor whether individuals contesting the elections are misusing their powers to influence voters through wrong means.”
A BJP general secretary, on condition of anonymity, said, “I have invitations to participate in six places on Ganesh Jayanti. I cannot ignore the invites, since it would upset the corporators in their respective wards. On such occasions they expect that I make decent donations, which would be used during elections.”
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