States » WestPosted at: Nov 14 2026 6:06PM


Manoj Tiwari targets MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Congress over Chhath Puja row in Maharashtra

Mumbai, Nov 14 (UNI) The controversy surrounding Chhath Puja celebrations in Maharashtra has taken a political turn, with BJP MP and Bhojpuri superstar Manoj Tiwari launching a sharp attack on Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and the Congress.
claiming that such politics was weakening both Raj Thackeray and the Congress politically.
The controversy erupted after the railway administration played Chhath Puja songs at railway stations to welcome and facilitate passengers travelling to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for the festival. The move drew strong objections from the MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT), while Raj Thackeray and the Congress criticised the development.
Reacting to the controversy, Tiwari said that the political decline of Raj Thackeray and the Congress was a consequence of their approach towards such issues. "Their actions are pushing them towards political irrelevance. Who listens to them in Maharashtra? Who gives them importance? No Marathi person is willing to take them seriously, and the reason is their own conduct," he said.
He praised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Maharashtra government for making arrangements for Chhath Puja, saying the government had made good preparations and that there was considerable enthusiasm and support for the festival among people across the state.
Describing Fadnavis as a strong devotee of Chhath Mahaparv, Tiwari said the administration was making every possible arrangement for devotees observing the traditional fast and participating in the celebrations.
The controversy began when a large number of North Indian residents of Maharashtra started travelling to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for Chhath Puja. To facilitate and welcome these passengers, the railway administration played Chhath songs at railway stations. However, the initiative triggered political opposition from the MNS and the Shiv Sena (UBT).
The MNS objected to the playing of the songs and warned that the practice should be stopped, threatening to respond in its own style if the railway administration failed to comply.
Raj Thackeray subsequently appealed to MNS workers not to get drawn into what he described as a politically-motivated controversy, alleging that attempts were being made to create tensions in Maharashtra with an eye on the Uttar Pradesh elections.
Taking a swipe at the BJP, the MNS chief accused the party of exploiting religious and caste-based divisions for political gains. He described its approach as a policy of 'divide and rule', and suggested that the party should focus on other issues instead of creating social divisions.
With Manoj Tiwari's intervention, the Chhath Puja controversy has now acquired a sharper political dimension, bringing regional identity, religious celebrations and electoral politics into the debate. UNI SP SS
Tags: #Manoj Tiwari targets MNS chief Raj Thackeray# Congress over Chhath Puja row in Maharashtra
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