As the campaign for the Thane Municipal Corporation elections intensifies, a new, digital-savvy contender has entered the political arena: Artificial Intelligence. Faced with severe constraints on manpower, infrastructure, and finances, candidates are increasingly adopting AI tools to connect with voters in a cost-effective and timely manner.
The Shift from Rallies to Reels
Traditional campaign methods like large public rallies are losing their effectiveness in Thane, a city where busy work schedules often clash with campaign timings. To adapt, aspirants are now focusing their efforts on community screens and social media platforms, particularly short-form video reels. Campaign managers report that AI-generated content provides a sharper and more economical alternative to conventional voter outreach methods.
These campaigns feature short, hyper-localized videos where candidates are placed against digitally created, yet remarkably realistic, backdrops of their own neighbourhoods. The content often includes artistic previews of proposed development projects or poignant flashbacks to community efforts during the Covid-19 lockdown period.
How AI Stretches a Tight Budget
The financial advantage is stark. A designer specializing in such AI content revealed that for candidates with small budgets, tailored videos can be produced in just a few hours for Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 each. This is a fraction of the cost of a conventional video shoot, which can easily exceed Rs 25,000.
Campaign manager Amit Medhekar explained the efficiency: AI tools allow a single recording session to be repurposed into multiple localized messages. This enables candidates to maximize their limited resources in the lead-up to the 2026 civic polls.
Candidate Experiences with AI Tools
Nitin Landage, a former Yuva Sena leader now contesting independently from Ward 4, turned to AI after a last-minute decision to enter the race. "I had very little time and money," Landage said. His AI-generated videos recreated critical scenes from his past work, including aid efforts for stranded workers during the Covid lockdown and protests related to the Borivli tunnel project. These videos were completed within 24 hours at minimal cost.
Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Shahaji Khuspe from Ward 13 utilized AI videos to effectively showcase years of social service. Even candidates from established political parties are using this technology to experiment and enhance their visibility at the ward level in the limited time available before elections.
The Future of AI in Indian Elections
While AI-led campaigning is still in its early stages in Thane, political observers note its significant potential. The technology is primarily helping candidates save two crucial resources: time and money. By allowing rapid, low-cost production of personalized content, AI is democratizing campaign tools for aspirants who previously could not compete with the financial muscle of larger parties.
The trend in Thane signals a broader shift in Indian electoral politics, where digital innovation is beginning to level the playing field. As the 2026 civic polls approach, the use of AI is expected to become more sophisticated and widespread, changing how politicians communicate with their constituents.
