Pune city MLAs have taken to the streets in the final phase of campaigning for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections. Their goal is to strengthen their grip on constituencies ahead of the crucial polls. Campaign activities are in full swing as politicians work to secure voter support.
MLA Campaign Strategies in Full Force
MLAs are conducting meetings with local party workers across Pune. They are organizing home visits and engaging with various community groups from their assembly segments. This grassroots approach aims to connect directly with voters before election day.
BJP's Dominance in Assembly Segments
Out of eight assembly segments in Pune, the Bharatiya Janata Party holds six MLA positions. These include Kothrud, Shivajinagar, Kasba Peth, Parvati, Pune Cantonment, and Khadakwasla. The Nationalist Congress Party controls the remaining two segments: Hadapsar and Wadgaon Sheri.
BJP state functionaries have directed all six party MLAs to maximize wins in wards within their assembly areas. A BJP functionary explained the party's ambitious target. The BJP secured 97 seats in the 2017 PMC elections. This time, the party hopes to cross the 100-seat mark. MLA campaigning plays a vital role because these politicians maintain strong voter connections in their constituencies.
Key Battlegrounds for Both Parties
The BJP expects strong performances in assembly segments like Kasba Peth, Kothrud, and Parvati. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar's NCP is focusing efforts on Hadapsar, Wadgaon Sheri, and Khadakwasla. Each party is leveraging local strengths to gain an edge in the municipal polls.
BJP's Kasba Peth MLA Hemant Rasne has been actively campaigning for the past two weeks. The Kasba Peth assembly seat covers four municipal wards. Rasne stated, We are meeting citizens and showcasing the BJP's achievements from its previous term. He served as a member of PMC's general body last term. Many development projects were implemented for the city's overall progress. Our teams are highlighting these works to voters in detail.
Pune Cantonment MLA Sunil Kamble emphasized the BJP's aggressive approach in these civic elections. The party anticipates winning more seats compared to previous polls.
NCP's Focus on Crucial Segments
Hadapsar, Wadgaon Sheri, and Khadakwasla represent critical assembly segments for the NCP. The party captured the Hadapsar seat in the 2024 assembly elections. NCP functionaries believe they can consolidate their presence by winning maximum seats in the civic polls here.
MLA Chetan Tupe is leading the campaign efforts in Hadapsar. Senior leader Ajit Pawar has conducted meetings and road shows in the constituency. An NCP politician expressed confidence, saying, We expect favorable results from our campaigning here.
Challenges and Opportunities for NCP
The NCP won the Wadgaon Sheri assembly segment in the 2024 polls. The party successfully recruited local workers ahead of the civic elections. However, local sources indicate potential setbacks for the NCP in Wadgaon Sheri. Local MLA Bapusaheb Pathare's family members are contesting PMC polls on BJP tickets, which could split voter support.
In Khadakwasla, the NCP is targeting wins from merged areas participating in PMC elections for the first time. These newly included regions present fresh opportunities for political gains.
The final campaign phase sees intense efforts from both major parties. MLAs are leveraging their local networks and visibility to influence ward-level outcomes. Voter engagement remains high as Pune prepares for the municipal corporation elections.
