Pune: Guardian minister Ajit Pawar on Friday rejected some Ganesh Mandals’ request to allow them to start the immersion procession ahead of the five most revered Manache Ganapati this Ganeshotsav and made it clear that Kasba Ganapati would continue to lead the century-old tradition.Keeping in mind the long delays in finishing the immersion procession in Pune, which continues till the afternoon the day after Anant Chaturdashi, Pawar appealed to the representatives of the five most revered Ganpati mandals — Kasba Ganpati Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Trust, Shree Tambadi Jogeshwari Sarvjanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Guruji Talim Mandal, Tulshibaug Ganapati Trust and Kesariwada Ganpati Mandal — to start the procession at 9am, instead of the usual 10.30am.“Some mandals had requested us to allow them to start their immersion procession before the five most revered Ganapati mandals. However, there is a long tradition of Ganeshotsav in Pune — the immersion procession begins with the five most revered Ganapati mandals. We will continue to follow the tradition, and the procession will start with the revered Ganapati Mandals only,” he told the media after a meeting with representatives of Ganesh Mandals and the district administration.As per the tradition, the Kasba Ganapati, the village deity of Pune, leads the immersion procession after the 10-day Ganeshotsav every year. The immersion procession of Kasba Ganapati is followed by the mandal of the village goddess — Tambadi Jogeshwari.However, some Ganesh mandals this time requested the administration to allow their procession before those of the five Manache Ganapati. Though their request was turned down, Pawar said measures would be taken to finish the procession early this year.“Earlier, the procession would begin around noon. We had revised the time to 10-10.30am. This year, we have requested the mandals to start the procession at 9am,” the deputy chief minister added.Representatives of the five Manache Ganapati attending the meeting organised by minister of state Murlidhar Mohol responded to the early start of the procession in a positive manner.Pawar also said Pune Metro would operate till 2am during the 10-day Ganapati festival.“On the last day of the festival, Metro services will be available throughout the night,” the deputy chief minister added.Remove Illegal Hoardings Even If They Carry My Pics: DY CMDeputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday told the civic administration to take action against all illegal flexes and hoardings in Pune. He said, “During the festival season, such flexes crop up. I have told the administration in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad to ensure that such flexes are removed, even if they have my photographs. As per court’s directions, hoardings and flexes should be installed only at authorised places. Action will be taken against people defacing the city by illegally putting up flexes.”
