Politicians are leaving no stone unturned to hold a grand celebration on Maharashtra Day, which is especially significant this year as it is the golden jubilee of the formation of the state.

Little wonder, then, that political parties fighting for the Marathi vote are trying hard to outshine one another with their programmes for the day.



Rs 50 lakh raised
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is spending Rs 50 lakh on its celebrations.

"The office-bearers in the city have raised the amount out of love for Maharashtra. The weeklong affair will be similar to Diwali celebrations with firecrackers, rangoli and colourful lights on the road," said MNS city president Prakash Dhore.

Pyrotechnics
The party has sought special permission to burst firecrackers near the Mutha. It plans to light up the sky with pyrotechnics, the contract for which has been given to Jamir Fireworks.

The party is also organising a fair at Sinhagad with cultural programmes and firecracker shows. MNS MLA Ramesh Wanjale emphasised the celebrations were to attract the youth to Sinhagad, which holds special significance for the state. "We will also felicitate the families of martyrs. Of the Rs 50 lakh, we will spend Rs 15 lakh on firecrackers," said Wanjale.

Other political parties like the BJP and the Shiv Sena have restricted themselves to cultural programmes and blood donation camps.

The Pune Municipal Corporation has started the celebrations two days in advance. Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal said Rs 7 lakh had been allotted for Maharashtra Day.