Visit garba sites in their wards to persuade people to vote for them in civic elections on Sunday
Navratri has got candidates contesting for AMC elections all excited. No, it is not the thought of dancing to the beats of dhol. It is actually canvassing for themselves among garba enthusiasts.
Though campaigning officially ended at 5:00 pm on Friday for Sunday’s polls, the candidates do not want to let go the opportunity of soliciting votes at garba venues. So for them, it is an extension by two nights — Friday and Saturday - of the campaign in their respective wards.
The candidates will use the posh garba venues and sheri garba pandals as ideal platforms to extend their informal campaigning. At the same time, they will also offer prayers to Goddess Amba and enjoy the festival.
For them, garba venues are an excellent way to network and that is why they want to use them to their advantage. Apart from holding public meetings at residential colonies, many candidates want to visit nearby garba venues to meet people.
“Garba venues offer an excellent opportunity for us to meet people. I will visit the nearby venues and meet people. But one should remember that these two nights will hardly help in changing people’s mind,” said BJP candidate from Maninagar, Asit Vora.
Normally, at popular garba events, well-known candidates and corporators are invited to perform puja. The venues help them in networking, but this year they will use them to garner support (in terms of votes) for themselves.
Congress candidate from Kalupur, Surendra Baxi, said he visits nearby garba venues to meet people. “And often informal talks happen at such venues. It is better not to mix politics with devotion,” said Baxi.
An independent candidate admitted that the garba revelry is a God-sent opportunity for candidates. “It gives us a chance to reach out to many groups at one go,” he said.
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