With the upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra, party leaders are investing in city politics to capture the state’s largest municipal body, the Pune Municipal Corporation. ruling BJP It is relying on former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to hold on to power, while the NCP front is led by Deputy Chief Minister and Patron Minister of Pune Ajit Pawar. The Congress, on its part, has roped in former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to re-establish the party’s supremacy in city politics. Meanwhile, MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv SenaSanjay Raut has become active in his field.
City BJP has been bringing Fadnavis to the city time and again to send a message to its rivals that the party will leave no stone unturned to retain power. The local unit has put up hoardings across the city to wish Fadnavis on his birthday and also highlight that he is responsible for the development of the city.
Pawar is focusing on bringing the NCP back to power in the PMC and is meeting party workers and leaders every week. He has actively supervised the infrastructure works in the city while promoting the proposed projects in and around the city.
The Congress is looking to Chavan to lead the party’s crusade and meet the challenge posed by other parties through its senior leaders. On Sunday, Chavan held an in-camera meeting with local party leaders to work out the strategy for the civic body elections. “The Congress needed a strong face to face the challenge being posed by senior leaders of other political parties. Chavan’s inclusion has raised hope in the cadre. He has urged them to prepare for contesting civic polls independently, as the decision on tying up with any other party will be decided later,” said a Congress leader, who was informed by the former CM that he regularly Will review the preparations for the elections.
Shiv Sena also wants to improve its presence in city politics and MP Sanjay Raut recently visited party workers. The party is reaching out to the residents through its ‘Shiv Sampark Abhiyan’. State Legislative Council Deputy Speaker Neelam Gorhe is also actively raising the issues of the city and urging the army cadre to prepare for the elections.
Raj Thackeray is on a three-day visit to the city to meet party leaders and workers to discuss the election strategy. He is meeting to encourage local leaders to start preparing for the election, while assuring them that he will conduct a similar three-day review every month. “The MNS chief has asked local party leaders to strengthen the party base in their areas. He has promised that he will have lunch at the house of the party leader, who does well in consolidating the party,” said city MNS chief Vasant More.
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