In anticipation of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actively working to establish a presence in the traditional stronghold of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and engage with the younger demographic.
The BJP recently organized a Marathi Dandiya event in Mumbai's Kalachowki locality for the second consecutive year, with the primary goal of appealing to the Marathi electorate in a region that has historically been aligned with the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray.
Kalachowki, situated in central Mumbai, boasts a substantial Marathi population and shares close cultural ties with neighboring Marathi-dominated areas such as Sewri, Lalbaug, and Parel, which have traditionally supported the Shiv Sena.
As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, the BJP is actively striving to make inroads into the Shiv Sena's established stronghold and engage the younger generation in the area.
Last year's Marathi Dandiya event saw the participation of numerous celebrities from both Bollywood and the Marathi film industry, including notable figures such as actor Ranveer Singh and music composer Avdhoot Gupte. Similarly, this year, the BJP is anticipating a star-studded attendance.
The BJP has leveled accusations against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray, alleging a lack of support for the celebration of Hindu festivals while permitting festivities from other religious communities.
In response, the BJP has opted to proactively promote Hindu festivals, such as Dahi Handi, Ganesh Festival, and Navratri, with great enthusiasm.
Party leaders have issued directives to their cadre to make these celebrations memorable and, in particular, encourage the active participation of the younger generation in these festivals.
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