BJP ministers head to other states with invites

LUCKNOW: As Prayagraj is set to host its first Kumbh in January after Yogi government renamed it from Allahabad, as many as 22 ministers will remain on hectic tour with invites to be handed over to chief ministers, exponents of arts and culture and leading personalities of states.

Kumbh festivities begin in Prayagraj on January 15.

Industrial bodies, CII and FICCI, will help the visiting BJP ministers connect with the various doyens in India.

While BJP minister Satish Mahana said that the event should not be viewed as merely a ritualistic programme of the Hindus, party spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said that Kumbh shouldn’t be politicised even if it synchronises with the Lok Sabha elections.

“The purpose of inviting luminaries and state ministers is to underscore the religious traditions of our country with participation of states as a symbol of unity. If the chief ministers arrive here, it will only send a message to people outside that we are one when it comes to such grand occasions,” Tripathi told TOI.

While deputy chief ministers Keshav Maurya and and Dinesh Sharma are visiting Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Surya Pratap Shahi, Suresh Khanna and Swami Prasad Maurya would visit Bihar, Maharashtra and Punjab.

For Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Karnataka, BJP has deployed power minister Shrikant Sharma and health minister Siddarth Nath Singh.

Government officials said that besides seeking a representation of CMs, international dignitaries from UNESCO, who assisted in adding it to the list of events on cultural and humanity event, would also participate. “Heads of foreign missions in India were recently invited by the government to observe the preparations,” said an official.

Kumbh is being seen as an event for UP to bring saints, seers share stage with leading politicians of country. Officials said efforts are on that some Peshwai scheduled to arrive in Kumbh Mela, in which holy men and their entourage arrive in elephants and carriages, may include state leaders from different ruling parties in states.

“We have already received confirmations from a few states that the Sangam Walk would include sand artists, athletes, film stars and industrialists,” said a tourism official.