JOIN USLed by the Bhojpuri film star and Northeast Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari, a large number of BJP leaders joined devotees in Chhath Puja, in yet another gesture which seems targeted at wooing the 70-80 lakh Poorvanchali voters in the city.
Like most other political rivals, the BJP is in no mood to let go off an opportunity to reach out to the Poorvanchali devotees at a time when there is a strong buzz about possible fresh Assembly elections in the coming months.
Manoj Tiwari spent close to three hours and sang Bhojpuri songs at a Chhath Puja function organised in Neb Sarai in south Delhi. He said: “Chhath is a festival of unity which bonds all.”
“I am happy and thankful to the Lieutenant Governor and the BJP’s central government for announcing Chhath Pooja as a public holiday,” he said, referring to the Tuesday’s notification to declare October 29 as a Delhi government holiday.
He also welcomed the cleaning of the prayer ghats along the Yamuna and the other provisions for the devotees. Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhyay, BJP Delhi in-charge Prabhat Jha, BJP MP Griraj Singh, BJP MLA from Varanasi Sanjay Jaiswal along with Poonam Jha and Chhath Pooja Committee Organiser Sanjay Thakur also joined the people in celebrations.
Thakur said: “The most important festival of Bihar has now become the national festival.”
Leaders of the Delhi Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have also been highlighting their initiatives to help devotees perform Chhath Puja. The two parties also have their eyes on the electoral clout the Poorvanchali voters enjoy in city politics.