It is said that food is a way to reach man's heart, but for politicians it has become a way to generate votes, ostensibly by creating job opportunities.

After Shiv Sena unveiled plans to brand 'Vada pav', the common man's burger, the opposition Congress in Mumbai civic body has announced plans to promote 'kanda poha', the traditional Maharashtrian snacks, by organising a similar 'sammelan' (meet) at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai.

After Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray launched a function to promote the 'Shiv Vada pav' at Shivaji Park on November 24, leader of opposition in Mumbai civic body, Rajhans Singh, said a 'kanda poha sammelan' would be held at Azad Maidan next month.

"Both kanda (onion) and poha are produced in Maharashtra. So, we are planning a 'kanda poha' festival," he said.

"We plan to invite entries from across the state to participate in the festival and the plans for the festival will be finalised at a meeting with top leaders later this week," he added. "Kanda poha is a staple diet of Maharashtrians and we hope to get good response," said Congress corporator Sameer Desai.

"The promotion activity should not be linked to politics. It is not done with an intention to compete with anyone and we don't see it as competition," he added.

Singh admitted that though `vada pav' is very popular in Maharashtra, it is basically a north Indian dish.

"The ingredients of vada pav'  -- potato and gram flour  -- come from the north and those who make `vada pav' are generally north Indians," he said.

Desai cited advantage of kanda poha over `vada pav' from health's perspective.

"While 'vada pav' consumes more oil, gram flour and potatoes are also not healthy. Poha on the other hand is made from rice and is good for health," he added.