With the NCP entering the ring to support Valentine’s Day, the event has now acquired political overtones in the city.

The Shiv Sena is sticking to its usual stand and intends to prevent Valentine’s Day celebrations, which it says is against “culture”, while BJP has decided to support its saffron ally in opposing the event as before. The MNS unit has not taken any sides, as yet. The city unit is waiting for any directive the party bosses may convey.

The Pune unit of the NCP maintains that it would support those wanting to celebrate the event. The Thane unit of the NCP has already started selling V-Day cards. NCP city chief Jaideo Gaikwad said that though Pune will not need NCP youth members selling cards, they will be there to support the youth celebrating the event if they face any opposition.

“If the youth are facing any kind of problem, we are there for them,” he said.

NCP’s Lok Sabha candidate Supriya Sule, who is campaigning for the Baramati seat for the Lok Sabha polls, said that she stands by the party’s decision. “Valentine’s Day is a celebration of life and it should not be opposed.”

The Shiv Sena, which has consistently been opposing V-Day celebration at various colleges in the city, maintained that they would remain firm on their stand.

Sena spokesperson Arvind Sawant said their volunteers know what to do if there is any celebration of the event. “There are no special directives issued this year. Our stand is clear and we will not allow such celebration in colleges as it against our culture,” Sawant said.

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