It’s that time of year again when Ganesh idols fill the streets, markets with bargains on items of worship and the country prepares to bring home its elephant god. However, just like last year, coronavirus The pandemic has dampened the festive spirit, with states such as Maharashtra And Delhi Urged people to opt for silent gatherings in view of warnings about a possible third wave of COVID-19.
While the virus may have forced many to shelve their plans, political parties have decided to turn the 10-day celebration into an opportunity to capitalize on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections with only six months to go. has done.
From COVID vaccine camps to worship boxes to organize free travel for people in Mumbai and Thane to go back to their hometowns in the Konkan region for the festival, parties have adopted new techniques to woo voters.
Read also | Promoting online darshan, vaccines and special buses: Here’s how states are celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi
The Shiv Sena, in particular, relied heavily on the Ganpati festival in the 1970s to expand its membership. As The Print reports, currently, all political parties donate generously to Ganesh mandals, to air their agenda ahead of the elections.
This year, the party will distribute pooja boxes that will contain all the ingredients people need to celebrate at home. Apart from this, there will also be an eye check-up camp and another medical camp for children who are likely to be at risk if there is a third wave.
In Thane, Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are organizing buses to take people to their homes in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts for the festival.
Read also | Ganesh Chaturthi 2021: All You Need To Know About Rituals To Be Performed During The 10-day Ganesh Utsav
Following the trend, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane flagged off the ‘Modi Express’ train for free travel to Konkan to people from Mumbai. All coaches of the train and train passes had photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Narayan Rane, Minister of State Raosaheb Danve and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
BJP MLA Ashish Shelar also distributed worship boxes – 6,000 of them – containing aarti books, incense sticks and camphor to homes in his constituency.
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