Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat Faces Backlash Over “Open Bag” Remark Amid Ganesh Festival Advisory

Mumbai: Maharashtra’s Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat, from the Shinde-led faction of Shiv Sena, sparked a political firestorm after urging Ganesh mandals to avoid DJs during processions, recommending traditional music groups instead. His remark about having an “open bag” to financially support celebrations lightened the crowd but drew immediate criticism from opposition parties.

Opposition leaders recalled a prior incident where a video of Shirsat standing beside a bag allegedly containing cash circulated online, initially shared by Sanjay Raut of the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe accused Shirsat of admitting to financial impropriety, demanding transparency regarding the bag’s contents. NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad added that Shirsat’s comment was more than a joke, pointing to significant increases in his assets between 2019 and 2024.

Shirsat has maintained that the viral video was misleading, claiming the bag contained only clothes and dismissing it as an attempt to defame him. He is also under scrutiny by the Income Tax Department following the escalation of his declared assets. In July, Shirsat confirmed receiving a notice from the department and insisted he would fully cooperate with any inquiries.

The controversy has deepened with NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar alleging that Shirsat, while heading the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), improperly allocated 15 acres of valuable land in Navi Mumbai to a private entity.