Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will not hold its annual Dipotsav at Shivaji Park this year. Party chief Raj Thackeray announced the decision in a video message on Wednesday, and put the drought at the centre of it.
Thackeray said it would be inappropriate to celebrate on a large scale when farmers in rural Maharashtra are in financial trouble and many are migrating to cities because of the drought. He asked people to mark Diwali responsibly and to avoid extravagance.
The state government declared 85% of Maharashtra drought-hit after deficient rainfall, and has announced interim assistance of ₹5,000 for farmers ahead of Diwali. Thackeray said the MNS would resume the Dipotsav next year if the situation improves.
For years the Shivaji Park event has anchored the MNS calendar, drawing a large crowd around Diwali. Cancelling it removes one of the party's most visible public moments of the season.
Diwali falls on Sunday this year. With the drought deepening, both the ruling coalition and the opposition are under pressure to state clearly how they will mark the festival, and water cuts are already being discussed in Mumbai.
The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Pune Metro Line 3 by video link. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking to reporters after that event, acknowledged that some work on the corridor is still unfinished.
The Dipotsav is a festival-of-lamps gathering held at Shivaji Park around Diwali, and over the years it became the most public item on the MNS calendar.
Whether Thackeray's decision draws support or grumbling from MNS workers will show over the next few days.