Two persons including a former activist of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were arrested for allegedly trying to extort money from a builder in the name of donation for upcoming Ganeshotsav festival, police said on Saturday. The accused identified as Kishor Adhav, an ex-MNS activist, and his associate Mahendra Shinde were nabbed from Bhoiwada area when they were thrashing the builder Santosh Nalawade when he refused to pay them a donation of Rs. Rs 50,000 for Ganeshotsav, they said.

"On Wednesday, Adhav phoned Nalawade asking for a donation of Rs. 50,000. They told him that their association brings Ganesh idol in their locality and celebrates the festival at large scale. For this they are collecting donations from people," they said.

"They had a scuffle when they met last night at Bhoiwada where the accused threatened the victim of dire consequences after he refused to shell out money," police said.