Abhinav RajputNew Delhi: Draped in a pink shawl till her forehead and with orange vermilion on her nose, chief minister Rekha Gupta stood among devotees for Chhath celebrations at Sonia Vihar Sunday.In the waters of the Yamuna, she prayed to the setting sun. Gupta also took a boat ride along the river to inspect the Chhath ghats, greeting devotees along the banks and extending festive wishes.Chhath is an important annual religious and political event in Delhi. Given Delhi’s sizeable Purvanchali population, leaders across party lines attend the festival as this section is an important vote bank.Gupta, who was accompanied by MP Manoj Tiwari and minister Kapil Mishra during the rituals, said Delhi belonged to people from every part of the country and the Purvanchali community had made a significant contribution to the capital’s growth through its hard work. Ensuring that its members felt at home and had access to better facilities while celebrating their festivals was a commitment of her govt, she said.She described Chhath as a celebration of faith, discipline, cleanliness, dedication and social harmony, with the tradition of worshipping both the setting and rising sun reflecting gratitude towards nature.She said she was working to provide better ghats, clean surroundings and all necessary facilities to devotees. She also highlighted the development of a Chhath ghat along the Munak Canal as a step towards addressing the community’s longstanding demands.Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra inaugurated the Chhath Ghat near Namo railway station and visited 16 Chhath ghats in east Delhi, including Yamuna Bank, extending greetings to Chhath devoteesHealth and transport minister Pankaj Kumar Singh performed the evening rituals with his family at Kunwar Singh Nagar in Vikaspuri. PWD minister Parvesh Verma celebrated the festival at his residence, where his wife Swati Verma welcomed devotees. Verma said the Purvanchali community built this city with its sweat. “Our mothers and sisters who keep the Chhath fast deserve to offer arghya to Chhathi Maiya with dignity. This is not a favour, it is their right, and it has reached them late,” he said.South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri visited Chhath ghats in Sangam Vihar, Tughlakabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Kalkaji and Badarpur to review arrangements.AAP MLAs Sanjeev Jha and Anil Jha offered prayers to the setting sun. Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav visited several ghats and reviewed arrangements. He alleged shortcomings in facilities and accused BJP govt of prioritising publicity over amenities.
