The political scene in Hyderabad is heating up during the election season as parties try to win over voters. The recent 10-day Ganapati festivities have become a battleground for political parties, with intense poster wars as they compete for support in the upcoming Assembly polls. Not only were the Ganesh pandals and procession routes venues for celebrating the deity, but they also witnessed a clash of posters and campaign materials from different political parties.
The grandeur of the Ganesh festival has ignited political fervor this year, especially with Telangana heading for polls. Politicians have been quick to take advantage of the festivities, turning them into a political arena where they vie for public attention and support.
This year’s Ganesh festival has seen an unprecedented level of political rivalry, with leaders capitalizing on the large gatherings at Ganesh pandals and along the Ganesh Shobha Yatra route. They have erected massive cut-outs and banners featuring themselves as candidates and their parties. However, critics, including social activists and devotees, have expressed concerns about the excessive expenditure on political banners and posters. They argue that leaders should be addressing the real problems faced by the people instead of engaging in this poster-war politics.
Observers have noticed that various Ganesh pandals and procession routes are adorned with enormous banners, posters, and cut-outs, diverting attention from the religious and spiritual aspects of the festival. This commercialization of the festival for political gains has left some devotees disheartened. Visitors to the Khairtabad Bada Ganesh Pandal have expressed disappointment, feeling like they are visiting a political party office due to the overwhelming presence of banners and posters from different political parties.
Devotees in other areas like Saidabad, Lal Darwaza, Begum Bazar, Ameerpet, Kukatpally, and others have witnessed similar scenes. Massive posters of division party leaders or candidates have been erected. The Mozzam Jahi market, the center hub of the Shobha Yatra, was covered with massive banners of political leaders and parties. Party cadres are confident and enthusiastic, willing to do anything for their parties.
“The political parties in the city have realized that the best way to convince the masses before the Assembly elections is through the Ganesh procession, which attracts over 500,000 people. It is their time to showcase themselves,” said a resident of Begum Bazar.
