Mumbai: Shiv Sena-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) Opposition combine in Maharashtra today (Sep 13, 2004) demanded that Assembly polls in the State be advanced to October 12 owing to "Sarvapitri Amavasaya", the day Hindus make offerings to their forefathers, on the poll date of October 13.

A high-level delegation of the Sena-BJP made the request to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) T S Krishna Murthy during their meeting at Sahyadri guesthouse in Mumbai.

The saffron combine delegation was led by former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi and comprised of BJP leaders Ram Naik and Vinod Tawade.

The Shiv Sena-BJP contention was that the October 13 election could be affected due to "Sarvapitri Amavasya" which falls on the same day.

Later, Joshi told reporters that the Election Commission (EC) has clarified that it has no objection to use of Savarkar's portrait or tableau during the ten-day Ganesh festival.

Krishnmurthy along with the two Election Commissioners B B Tandon and N Gopalswami, would be reviewing the poll preparedness.

The Election Commission members will be meeting all the political parties, senior police and administrative official to review the preparation.