Ganesh Festival Sparks Political Tension in Pune

Shiv Sena Pune district president Surendra Jeware triggered a protest by covering a cut-out of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar with a black cloth after he failed to attend a Ganesh festival organized by Jeware. The police intervened and detained Jeware, leading to increased tensions between political parties.

In Pune, the Ganesh festival took an unexpected political turn when Shiv Sena's Pune district president Surendra Jeware covered a cut-out of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar with a black cloth. Jeware's actions came after Pawar failed to attend the festival despite numerous invitations.

The incident sparked a protest from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), leading to police intervention and Jeware's detention. The festival in Bhigwan Chowk, organized by Jeware, carried the name of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who leads the Shiv Sena.

Political tensions escalated as municipal authorities removed festival archways and cut-outs. Pawar downplayed the incident, stating it was an overreaction, and expressed his intention to discuss the matter with Eknath Shinde.

(With inputs from agencies.)