Allow Ganesh pandals to erect mandaps: Sena to civic chief

Attacking the BMC over reports of permissions being denied to Ganesh pandals to erect mandaps, the Shiv Sena demanded today that municipal chief Ajoy Mehta ensure they get the civic body's nod.

A Shiv Sena delegation, led by the party's chief whip in the Maharashtra Assembly, met Mehta at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters here and alleged "restrictions" were being imposed on mandals the way West Bengal government had done last during Durga Puja.

The West Bengal government had last year reportedly imposed restrictions on idol immersion with Vijaya Dashami being celebrated just a day ahead of Muharram on October 13.

The Ganeshotsav will be celebrated next month.

Party MLC Anil Parab and other leaders accompanied Prabhu.

"The problems in granting permissions to Ganesh pandals should be resolved immediately. Permissions for erecting mandaps should not be denied," Prabhu said after meeting Mehta.

Parab added, "Restrictions are being imposed on mandals like West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had done during Navratri last year. A wrong message will be sent out if restrictions are imposed on Hindu festivals."