Fadnavis, Javadekar keep away, but Kalmadi reads out PM’s best wishes for Pune Festival

Earlier this week, Kalmadi had declared that the festival would be inaugurated by Fadnavis and Javadekar.

The 10-day festival was finally inaugurated by Pune’s Guardian minister Girish Bapat, who is from BJP. Also present were Maharashtra’s Minister of State for Social Justice Dilip Kamble, legislators Bhimrao Tapkir and Yogesh Tilekar of BJP. From Shiv Sena, Lok Sabha member Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil and Maharashtra’s Minister of State for Water Resources Vijay Shivtare attended the function. Harshvardhan Patil was the only senior state Congress leader present at the function.

Pune’s Mayor, Dattatraya Dhankawade of NCP, skipped the event while deputy mayor Ulhas Bagul of Congress along with state women Congress chief Kamal Vyavhare were present.

In his welcome speech, Kalmadi said the festival was a cultural platform, and not a political platform, but mentioned the names of prominent leaders of all political parties and film stars who have inaugurated the festival in past.

Kalmadi concluded his speech by reading out a letter from the prime minister to him giving best wishes for Pune festival and appreciating the excellent showcase of talent at the festival. “The letter is signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he categorically mentioned.

Bapat said he had agreed to inaugurate the Pune festival in his capacity as Pune’s Guardian Minister. “The Pune festival is not a political function. It has been there for many years and has made big contributions towards promoting cultural programmes. It is a good initiative and I would provide all possible help for it,” he said.

Bapat also accepted a cheque of Rs 5 lakh from Pune Festival’s organising committee as a contribution towards Chief Minister’s relief fund for tackling drought situation in the state. “I am thankful on behalf of the government for help provided for drought relief and hope many Ganesh mandals would also come forward to provide helping hand to farmers,” Bapat said.

BJP MP and film star Hema Malini, also a patron for the festival, was specially felicitated at the function for performing at the festival in 25 years of its existence of 27 years.