Leaders capitalise on festivals

The festive season began with Ganesh Chaturthi and Samvatsari on Wednesday. Political leaders are effectively using the opportunity to increase their public appearances in election time.

Not just local corporators, but chief minister Narendra Modi and leader of the opposition Shaktisinh Gohil are also reaching out to the people.

On the first day of the10-day-long Ganeshotsav, Modi’s brand managers in BJP made effective use of the database of cell phones they had made from the gutkha ban campaign.

Thousands of people in the state received SMS from the CM greeting them with good wishes on Ganesh Chaturthi day. Of course, the SMS also contained a number to stay connected with him. He had appealed to people to give him a missed call on the same number during the gutkha ban campaign.

If Modi wished people on Ganesh Chaturthi, Gohil greeted people on Samvatsari. Gohil didn’t send SMS but ensured his voice reached the public. A pre-recorded message in his voice was played on thousands of cell phones.

In Ahmedabad, local politicians have also planned visits to various Ganeshotsav events throughout the week. Asit Vora, mayor of the city said,  “I have received a number of invitations to visit Ganeshotsav public events and from individuals. I will visit at least seven to eight places everyday. 

Many families are keeping Ganesha for only one day so even on the first day I had to visit eight to nine homes.” He will also be visiting Jain families. Many corporators have put up posters greeting people of their wards for Ganesh Chaturthi and Samvatsari.

Bhupendra Patel, chairman of the standing committee, is also visiting various areas for Ganeshotsav. Congress leader and leader of the opposition in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Badruddin Sheikh also said that he has received several invitations from visiting Ganeshotsav celebrations.

“I have just returned from Isanpur char rasta Ganesh Pandal. I will also be wishing Samvatsari to my supporters through posters.”