This year’s Maharashtrian and Konkan new year, Gudi Padwa is answering to the purposes of many politicians. Both Shiv Sena and the BJP with their political axes to grind celebrated the festival On Wednesday.
Raj Thackeray, president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), held a Gudi Padwa rally (Padwa Milan) in Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park. To minimize any inconvenience to commuters, the Mumbai Police also increased security and issued traffic restrictions, and alternate routes.
In accordance with the sources, this rally was a way for the MNS president to anticipate and get a clearer picture of where he stands on the impending local elections in Maharashtra, including those for the Lok Parliament and Vidhan Sabha in 2024 and the state’s financial capital of Mumbai.
Shiv Sena leader and Maharastra CM Eknath Sindhe who is at daggers drawn with the MNS already, held an “Uttar sabha” (reply rally) at Khed in coastal Ratnagiri where he made a number of promises while lashing at Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress, and the NCP.
Moreover, the MNS leader reaffirmed his demand that the use of loudspeakers for azaan ceased and promised to bring up the subject again when he meets with Shinde.
Bjp wasn’t behind in ingratiating their voters on this new year’s celebration. The BJP leaders arranged a “Shobha Yatra” around Mumbai, and the party enlisted its local supporters’ help to raise a lakh Gudis at each of their residences on Wednesday.
Furthermore, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially inaugurated the Maa Sharda Temple in Kupwara in J&K on Chaitra Navratri through video conference. He also wished people during Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, and Sajibu Cheiraoba celebrations.
Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP leader, further stated that she supported the opening of the Maa Sharda Temple in Kupwara and that it was beneficial for Kashmiri Pandits in her remarks about the temple.