New Delhi (Agency): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mumbai has gone all out this year by organizing 400 ‘Dahi Handi’ celebrations across the city. These festivities come right before the Lok Sabha elections, expected in April-May next year, and the delayed elections for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The BMC has been under the control of the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, for a quarter-century. But the BJP seems determined to wrest control of the country’s richest civic body. “This year’s Dahi Handi will usher in change in Mumbai,” declared Ashish Shelar, BJP Mumbai President.
‘Dahi Handi’ is a traditional festival that mimics the playful activities of Lord Krishna’s childhood. Teams of young people, known as ‘Govindas,’ form human pyramids to break pots filled with curd. It is a major event in Mumbai and offers an excellent opportunity for political parties to connect with the masses.
Ashish Shelar revealed that BJP leaders, including Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), along with other party officials, have taken part in the ‘Dahi Handi’ celebrations in different neighborhoods. To prepare for the event, the BJP also held workshops for ‘Govindas,’ attracting the participation of around 150 groups.
This large-scale involvement in ‘Dahi Handi’ festivities appears to be part of a broader political strategy. The BJP is seizing the occasion to make a statement and exert its influence over Mumbai’s political future. These celebrations are particularly significant since they occur in the constituency of Aaditya Thackeray, a Shiv Sena Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
With these festivities, the BJP aims to not just partake in a cultural celebration but also to send a political message. The party seems to be utilizing this popular festival as a platform to make its presence felt and to showcase its commitment to the city’s cultural and civic life.
The coming months will show whether the BJP’s heavy involvement in this year’s ‘Dahi Handi’ celebrations will have the political impact they hope for, especially with the upcoming Lok Sabha and BMC elections on the horizon.