Campaigning for the upcoming civic elections in Pune's Ward 9 is unfolding along two distinct tracks, shaped by the demographics of its localities. While traditional door-to-door outreach dominates older areas, evening rallies and society meetings are the norm in IT hubs, with social media serving as a common thread and rebellion within parties adding a dramatic twist.
Contrasting Campaign Styles: Day vs Night
Older neighbourhoods like Pashan, Sus, Sutarwadi, and Someshwarwadi are experiencing intensive door-to-door meet-and-greet campaigns that run throughout the day and night. In contrast, the upmarket, IT-heavy areas of Baner, Balewadi, and Mhalunge are witnessing a surge in evening rallies and housing society meetings. This strategic shift caters to the large IT professional population in these zones, who are typically unavailable during daytime hours.
Across both old and new localities, candidates are heavily reliant on social media to amplify their reach. Campaign agendas are a mix of highlighting past development work and focusing on persistent citizen-centric issues. These include road widening, severe parking shortages, and the completion of long-pending missing road links.
Rebellion & Unlikely Alliances Reshape Contest
The political landscape in Ward 9 has been fractured by significant rebellion. Several prominent leaders, denied tickets by their parent parties, are now contesting as independents or on rival party tickets, creating complex dynamics.
Pramod Nimhan, from an influential family in Pashan, Someshwarwadi, and Sus, was denied a ticket by the NCP. He is now fighting as an independent candidate, using the whistle as his election symbol. In a last-minute twist, prominent BJP leader Amol Balwadkar, who has a strong base in Balewadi, was denied a ticket by his party but later managed to secure one from the NCP.
This has led to an unprecedented alliance. "Interestingly, Balwadkar and Baburao Chandere, another NCP candidate, were once arch rivals—so much so that neither would campaign in the other's stronghold. Now they are sharing the stage and campaigning together," observed a Baner resident.
Another case is that of Poonam Vidhate. Despite efforts, she was denied an NCP ticket this year, even though her husband, Vishal Vidhate, worked closely with NCP's Baburao Chandere for years. She is now contesting as an independent with the cup-and-saucer symbol.
Key Issues: Roads, Riverfront & Trust
Nimhan and Poonam, who are campaigning together, have identified road infrastructure and parking as their primary issues. "Roads are the most critical issue here. On paper, the Sutarwadi road is 24 metres wide, but in reality, it is narrow and poorly constructed. This is a major road connecting the area to the Bengaluru highway," said Nimhan. He also pointed out that land reserved for facilities like a vegetable market remains unused.
Poonam emphasised the need to halt the current riverfront development project, advocating instead for river cleaning, creating parking spaces, and easing traffic congestion. This puts her at odds with Amol Balwadkar, whose party (BJP) initiated the riverfront project when he was with them. As an NCP candidate now, Balwadkar struck a cautious note, stating, "New technologies are available that allow trees to be saved and relocated. Riverfront development can be undertaken while addressing environmental concerns."
Residents believe these alliances will test voter loyalties. A Pashan resident noted that while the Chandere-Balwadkar combine may consolidate votes in Baner and Balewadi, they might lose ground in Pashan and nearby areas where people already feel ignored. "This will also be a test for Balwadkar because, earlier, people voted for him as a BJP candidate. Now, he has to earn their trust on his own," the resident added.
Balwadkar defended the focus on evening campaigning and social media, stating, "What matters most is that the message reaches people... Through social media outreach, we can ensure that every citizen understands our plans." As polling day nears, Ward 9 presents a microcosm of modern Indian urban politics: a blend of traditional groundwork, digital outreach, and unpredictable political realignments.
