Ahead of Ganeshotsav, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Ravindra Waikar on Saturday wrote a letter to animal husbandry and dairy development minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and secretary of the department Tukaram Munde to grant permission to immerse Lord Ganesh idols in Aarey talao (pond) without disrespecting sentiments of devotees or without breaking any customs and traditions.

“Keeping in mind the sentiments of devotees of Lord Ganesha and also without hampering their age-old practice, the ban imposed by the Aarey administration must be reconsidered and this year people must be allowed to use the Aarey pond to immerse the Lord Ganesha idols,” Waikar said.