MAPUSA
Ganesh Chaturthi has become a political battleground in Mapusa, with rival groups trading allegations over the removal of greeting banners and cleaning of the Ganesh immersion site at Tar River.
Supporters of former customs officer Mayur Sawkar alleged that the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) removed several of his Chaturthi greeting boards at the alleged behest of MLA Joshua D’Souza.
Congressman and activist Sanjay Barde made a similar allegation, saying his banners were removed despite obtaining MMC permission and paying the required fee.
“We had approached the MMC for a licence and even paid for the same. But all my banners were removed,” Barde said, alleging political motivation.
The political rivalry has also extended to the cleaning and desilting of the Tar River immersion site.
Members of Together for Mapusa (TFM) claimed they had pushed for the work after the site was neglected. TFM secretary Jitesh Kamat accused the MLA of apathy and said the group had repeatedly followed up with the Water Resources Department (WRD).
“Together for Mapusa took real action. We consistently followed up with the WRD,” Kamat said, thanking WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar for directing machinery to the site.
D’Souza rejected the claim, saying the WRD carried out the desilting at his request.
“I cannot go and remain present for every little work undertaken by government departments. Some people are taking false credit,” D’Souza said.
The disputes highlight the growing political colour of festival-related activities in Mapusa ahead of the Assembly elections.
