BJP and AIADMK leaders trade barbs over Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations

With two days to go for Ganesh Chaturthi in Tamil Nadu, leaders of the national ruling party BJP and the state ruling party AIADMK have been trading barbs over a state government decision to curb public celebrations. The state government’s decision to permit opening of liquor shops in Chennai city (from August 18), while not permitting installing of Ganesha idols, taking them on processions, immersion rituals has irked the BJP. BJP leaders have questioned the Tamil Nadu government on their “manliness”, asking them to take a cue from the neighboring Karnataka government that has permitted the festival to be celebrated amid the Covid-19 pandemic.