Vasai | September 10, 2026 — A BJP group leader in the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation has asked the civic body not to award Vasai Ganeshotsav contracts to non-Hindu contractors, prompting controversy as municipal preparations for the festival get under way. Municipal commissioner Prithviraj BP said the civic body would follow the law while awarding the contracts.
Ashok Shelke, the BJP group leader in the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, made the request in a letter to commissioner Prithviraj BP. He sought restrictions on the award of contracts for several festival-related works, including the erection of pandals, construction of artificial immersion ponds, barricading along immersion routes, illumination and traffic arrangements.
The civic body has begun preparations for Ganeshotsav, which is scheduled to take place in the coming days. The annual arrangements require the municipal corporation to organise temporary public infrastructure and traffic-management measures at locations used for celebrations and idol immersion.
Shelke alleged that a majority of contractors were non-Hindus and claimed that some consumed non-vegetarian food while carrying out work during Hindu festivals. He said this affected the sanctity of the festival and argued that such contractors should not receive municipal works connected with Ganeshotsav.
“Such practices will not be tolerated hereafter. Even if it causes financial loss, municipal works related to Ganeshotsav should not be awarded to non-Hindu contractors,” Shelke said, according to the report.
The request has triggered controversy within civic circles because it seeks to make religious identity a condition for municipal contracting. The works listed in the letter involve public facilities and operational arrangements to be provided by the municipal corporation during the festival.
Responding to the demand, commissioner Prithviraj BP said the civic body would comply with applicable legal requirements while awarding the contracts. “We follow the law. Anything outside the law will not be followed,” he said.
The commissioner’s response did not indicate that the civic body had accepted Shelke’s request. The available report also does not specify the value of the contracts, the number of contractors involved, the tender stage or whether any formal change to the procurement process has been proposed.
The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation is expected to continue preparations for the festival, including arrangements for pandals, artificial immersion ponds, barricading, illumination and traffic management. The civic administration’s position on the contracting process will determine how the works are awarded before the celebrations begin.
