India, June 10 -- The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) on Monday criticised the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Medha Kulkarni for closure of Saras Baug on the occasion of Eid al-Adha or Bakri Eid, calling it an attempt to stoke communal tension ahead of the civic elections.

The garden was shut on Sunday after Kulkarni wrote to the civic body, asking for it to be closed to "avoid tensions between communities".

Prashant Jagtap, city unit president, NCP (SP), said, "For decades, Saras Baug has remained open to all. Many Muslims visit with their families after Eid. By closing the garden, the BJP and PMC have sent out a clear message that this city, this garden, and...