The BJP has made Ganeshotsav-special travel arrangements for the Marathi manoos in the city who hail from the Konkan region, in an attempt to woo the Shiv Sena’s traditional and major vote bank ahead of the BMC elections. On Sunday, the BJP booked 150 buses and two trains for people travelling to the Konkan region for the Ganpati festival, and offered tickets at a subsidised rate of Rs 100. Since getting power back in the state, this is BJP’s first attempt to challenge Shiv Sena’s dominance on the ground.

“This is not politics,” said BJP’s former corporator Prabhakar Shinde, who is managing the bus services with another party leader. “Ganpati festival is celebrated in every household of Konkan. After Covid-19 restrictions for two years, people can finally travel without any fear. We are just helping them travel easily for the celebrations,” he added. The BJP has organised bus services from Dahisar, Borivli, Jogeshwari, Bhandup, Vikhroli, Mahim and Worli—all Shiv Sena’s strongholds.