Mumbai, Sep 14: Launching a scathing attack on the state government on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray on Monday sharply criticised the ruling Mahayuti government for Maharashtra’s compounding socio-economic and political crisis.

The Thackeray camp, in an editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, ‘Saamana’, painted a grim picture of a state “beset by inflation, systemic corruption, agricultural distress, and rising communal polarisation” — arguing that the current rulers themselves have become the single biggest “vighna” (obstacle) confronting Maharashtra and the nation.

The editorial slammed the government for compounding public distress ahead of the festive season. Highlighting steep hikes in the prices of sugar, milk, CNG, domestic LPG, petrol, and diesel, the daily noted that while the common man’s festive budget has been badly hit, devotees will still leave no stone unturned to welcome Lord Ganesha with devotion.

The editorial highlighted the recent physical assault on Pune activist Vidyanand Bapat, who had voiced strong opposition to high-decibel DJ systems during public celebrations. Rather than addressing noise pollution, the ruling establishment branded the activist as an “urban Naxal” and an “outsider”, while the Chief Minister resorted to evasive stances instead of decisive action, it claimed.

Pointing to the severe impact of El Nino, the Thackeray camp warned of a worsening drought across Maharashtra. With Kharif crops wilting in scorched fields and deficient rainfall casting a shadow over the upcoming Rabi season, rural livelihoods are in severe jeopardy while farmer suicides continue unabated.

The editorial also criticised repeated examination paper leaks. Following scandals in NEET and TET, the leak of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) papers forced the cancellation of exams.

Dismissing the government’s announced SIT probe and administrative reform claims as empty rhetoric, the editorial questioned who would answer for the shattered dreams of thousands of aspiring youths.

Tracing the roots of Lokmanya Tilak’s public Ganesh festival, the editorial lamented that its founding socio-political vision is being eroded by corporate takeover and cheap political posturing.

The editorial further highlighted rising crimes against children, deteriorating roads claiming innocent lives daily, and the government’s failure to enforce local Marathi language norms for non-native auto and taxi drivers.

Concluding with a stark warning, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena asserted that Maharashtra — once a beacon of progressive ideas for the country — has been rendered directionless and pushed into the shadows of religious extremism by “power-drunk and fanatical” rulers.

Calling upon the public to recognise the true root of their hardship, the editorial closed with a direct plea to Lord Ganesha to bestow wisdom upon the populace and save the state.

Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated with immense enthusiasm and religious fervour across India, particularly in Maharashtra, on Monday, as devotees welcomed beautifully crafted idols of Lord Ganesha into their homes and public pandals to mark the beginning of the 10-day festival.

Across cities, elaborate decorations, illuminated pandals, devotional rituals and cultural programmes have added to the festive atmosphere, with devotees offering prayers, flowers, sweets and other traditional offerings to Lord Ganesha.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the deity of wisdom, prosperity and new beginnings and is traditionally invoked before important undertakings.

The celebrations will culminate in Anant Chaturdashi on September 25, when devotees traditionally bid farewell to the deity through immersion processions.

The origin of Ganesh Chaturthi in its present public form in Maharashtra is traced to Keshavji Nayak Chawl in Girgaum, Mumbai, where freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak began the first ‘sarvajanik’ Ganeshotsav in 1893. The initiative was aimed at bringing people together and garnering public support for India’s freedom struggle.

However, the Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust maintains that the public celebration of Ganeshotsav in Pune was started by Bhausaheb Rangari in 1892, making the origins of the public festival a matter of historical significance for both Mumbai and Pune.

In Pune, the arrival ceremony of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, regarded as Hindustan’s first public Ganpati, began amid the rhythmic beats of dhol-tasha and witnessed the participation of a large number of devotees.

Special prayers were also performed at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple as part of the celebrations.

In Mumbai, dazzling lights and elaborate decorations have given a festive appearance to several prominent Ganesh pandals and temples, including Lalbaugcha Raja at Lalbaug, Tejukaya Mandal in Lalbaug, Ganesh Gully in Lalbaug, GSB Seva Mandal at Matunga-Kings’ Circle, Andheri-cha-Raja, Shri Bal Gopal Ganesh Utsav Mandal at Marine Lines, Kethwadi 11th Lane, Kethwadi 12th Lane, GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Samiti in Wadala, Sahyadri Mandal in Tilak Nagar-Chembur, and Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Mandal in Fort.

Thousands of devotees are visiting the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Long queues of devotees were seen outside the famous pandal as people patiently waited for Bappa’s darshan.

The renowned Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai has also been magnificently decorated for the festival, adding to the festive and devotional atmosphere in the city.

In Nagpur, a large number of devotees gathered at the famous Ganesh Tekdi Temple. Devotees stood in long queues to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for happiness, prosperity, peace and overall well-being.

The temple premises have been witnessing a deeply devotional atmosphere since morning, with the surrounding area echoing with chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ as devotees arrived to pay obeisance to the deity.

A devotee, speaking to media, said, “This 10-day festival is ongoing, and there is a huge rush. Our main intention is to ensure that every devotee gets proper darshan, and we have made arrangements accordingly. We have set up separate queues for men and women. For elderly people, we have arranged e-rickshaws and EV vehicles so they can be transported from there to here.”

Another devotee spoke about the spiritual significance of the festival and the joy surrounding the celebrations.

“We came here for Ganesh Chaturthi and had darshan at the temple. The atmosphere here is so joyful and pleasant. The true essence of Ganesh Chaturthi is that Lord Ganesha relieves us of our troubles and brings us happiness. Similarly, in our own lives, we should aim to spread happiness to others rather than causing them pain,” the devotee added.

Rais Shaikh, the Samajwadi Party MLA from Bhiwandi East, has lodged a complaint with the State Chief Electoral Officer regarding numerous flaws in the Election Commission’s ‘Special Summary Revision’ (SIR) campaign for voter lists. He pointed out that the names of lakhs of eligible voters are missing from the recently published draft list. In a letter, MLA Shaikh has demanded a two-month extension for the process of rectifying these errors.

Elaborating on the issue, MLA Shaikh stated that voters had submitted registration applications with valid documents during the SIR campaign and possess acknowledgment receipts; however, their names are not included in the recently published draft voter list. The online system indicates that lakhs of applications—ranging from new voter registrations (Form 6) to name corrections or address changes (Form 8)—are pending at the Booth Level Officer (BLO) level.

Affected voters have not received any notices, SMS alerts, or phone calls from the Election Department regarding discrepancies in the voter list or ‘no-linkage’ issues. Thousands of eligible voters are confused about whether they will be included in or excluded from the final voter list. MLA Shaikh noted that this sentiment prevails among voters in the areas of Bhiwandi, Madanpura, Mankhurd, and Govandi.
Persistent server issues on the Election Commission’s website and mobile app have made it extremely difficult for citizens to fill out new forms or check the status of their existing applications. BLOs are unwilling to work during the festive holidays. Consequently, MLA Rais Shaikh has demanded a two-month extension to the September 30 deadline for the SIR process. In his letter, he urged that the names of citizens holding SIR acknowledgment receipts be included in the final electoral roll. He also called for immediate orders to process pending applications held by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and suggested launching a campaign to accept applications via offline (physical) methods to overcome online server issues. Exercising the right to vote is a constitutional right for every eligible voter. Through this letter, MLA Rais Shaikh has directed the State’s Chief Electoral Officer and the Thane District Collector to ensure that no voter is deprived of their right to vote during the SIR process.