MLAs are holding meetings with local workers, planning home visits and conducting meetings with different groups from their constituencies. Sources from the BJP said the party’s state functionaries had directed all six MLAs to ensure as many wins as possible in wards falling in their assembly segments.A BJP functionary said, “The BJP had won 97 seats in the 2017 PMC polls. The party is looking to win more than 100 seats this time. Campaigning by MLAs will play a crucial role, since these politicians have good connections with voters in their constituencies.”While the BJP expects leads from assembly segments like Kasba Peth, Kothrud and Parvati, Ajit Pawar’s NCP is banking on Hadapsar, Wadgaon Sheri and Khadakwasla.BJP’s Kasba Peth MLA Hemant Rasne said he was active in the ongoing campaign for the last two weeks. The Kasba Peth assembly seat covers four wards. He said, “We are going to citizens and presenting the works BJP achieved in its previous tenure. I was a member of PMC’s general body in the last term. Many projects were executed to bring about overall development in the city. Our teams are highlighting the details of our works to voters.“Pune Cantonment MLA Sunil Kamble said the BJP is going aggressive in civic polls and the party expects to win more seats this time.Meanwhile, Hadapsar, Wadgaon Sheri and Khadakwasla are crucial assembly segments for the NCP. The party won the Hadapsar seat in the 2024 assembly polls and party functionaries said the NCP expected to consolidate its presence there by winning the maximum number of seats in civic polls. “MLA Chetan Tupe is heading the campaign in Hadapsar. Ajit Pawar has held meetings and road shows in the constituency. We are expecting the result to be in our favour,” said an NCP politician.The NCP had won the Wadgaon Sheri assembly segment in the 2024 polls and the party was also able to induct local workers ahead of the civic polls. Local sources from Wadgaon Sheri, however, said the NCP may face a setback as local MLA Bapusaheb Pathare’s family members are contesting civic polls on BJP tickets. In Khadakwasla, the NCP is looking for wins from merged areas that are going to polls for PMC for the first time.
