‘Ganesh Chaturthi’, is celebrated with zeal in Bhilai, but this year being an election year, it has taken an intriguing turn as political aspirations intertwine with the festivities. While the city basks in the grandeur of its pandals and exquisitely crafted Lord Ganesha idols, the prelude to the State Assembly elections add a unique flavour to this annual celebration. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are yet to officially unveil their candidates for the Bhilai Nagar Assembly seat. However, the incumbent MLA, backed by his supporters, and other aspiring candidates have seized the occasion of ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ to launch extensive promotional campaigns. With their sights set on the upcoming State Assembly elections, political parties, leaders, and activists are actively participating in the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Bhilai to capture attention and establish personal connections with the public.

 

The incumbent MLA of Bhilai, along with his associates and political backers, is making a noticeable impact by adorning the city with banners and posters near Ganesh Pandals. While political banners and hoardings are scattered across various pandals in the city, it’s worth noting that Congress supporters have taken the lead by displaying a significant number of banners throughout Bhilai. BJP supporters have also placed banners around select Ganesh pandals, although their promotional efforts appear relatively subdued compared to the Congress. Khursipar, a region within the Bhilai constituency, has become the epicenter of this political fervor, with walls and crossroads adorned with political messages. Visitors to the Dussehra Maidan in Khursipar, where the Ganesh Utsav is celebrated with grandeur, are greeted not only by majestic pandals but also by banners showcasing the city’s development works over the past five years. These banners proudly display the achievements of the incumbent MLA, accompanied by a prominent image of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

 

Similarly, Sector-1, another hub for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Bhilai, is also witnessing political enthusiasts using the pandal surroundings for political messaging. In addition, political banners conveying messages about the Ganesh festival have covered poles, walls, and squares in Bhilai. Notably, many of the organising committees responsible for Ganesh Utsav in the Township area have chosen to keep political campaigning at bay within their pandals. Politicians are aware that upsetting Ganesh Utsav samitis could lead to the ire of people who are also political activists, especially with the Assembly elections just a few months away. The city’s streets are alive with colors, both religious and political, creating a unique spectacle that mirrors the vibrancy of democracy itself