Ahead of the civic polls, major festivals like Dahi Handi, Ganeshotsav and Navratri are expected to turn into competing fields for parties like the BJP and the Shiv Sena factions led by CM Eknath Shinde and party president Uddhav Thackeray.

Since the time of Anand Dighe, Shiv Sena in Thane has remained at the forefront in celebrating Dahi Handi in a grand way. This year, however, those with the Thackeray camp are undecided over the popular venues in Thane.