CM Fadnavis to skip customary annual Pandharpur pooja

Pune/Solapur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has decided to cancel the annual customary and auspicious Vithhal Mahapooja which happens on Ashadhi Ekadashi in view of the disturbance caused by agitation of Maratha groups in Pandharpur.

The Pooja was to happen in the wee hours on Monday.

This decision is historic since in the last 25 years, the state's CM has missed this customary event only once in 1996.

Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan said in Pandharpur that CM decided to cancel the customary Pandharpur visit on Ashadhi Ekadashi for Vithhal Mahapooja considering the intense agitation in Pandharpur area by various Maratha groups demanding reservation for the community. 

CM said he does not want to disturb the harmony at Pandharpur on Ekadashi.

State CM cancelling his Pandharpur visit on Ashadhi Ekadashi is happening for the first time since 1996 when Manohar Joshi had to cancel his visit.

It is believed that Maharashtra police's state intelligence department advised the Chief Minister to cancel the visit.