Pune: Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad witnessed a riot of colours, sound and movement for a week as the civic election campaign inched towards its final lap.With just 2 days remaining before campaigns will be stopped on Jan 13, Saturday and Sunday were packed from dawn to dusk with rallies, sabhas, parade marches, bike processions and street-side debates that brought neighbourhoods closer to politics.From the quiet bylanes of Wanowrie to the busy streets of Sus on the edge of PCMC, campaign teams were out in force. Motorbike rallies of party workers waving flags and thumping with party jingles kicked off early in the morning as volunteers marched alongside candidates.In many areas, campaign vans with loudspeakers ventured through main roads repeatedly, making sure no voter went unaware of who was speaking where and when. Some candidates even took to creative formats such as street performances and interactive public sessions to connect with citizens.Aishwarya Pathare, contesting from Ward 3, spoke about the energy she saw everywhere. “This weekend was unlike any other. We had bike rallies, late-night corner sabhas and even small street performances in housing societies. People are more responsive and also asking direct questions about development and basic issues.”At a sprawling public ground in Ward 3 on Saturday afternoon, riders in helmets and party colours led a spirited bike rally that snaked through Lohegaon and Vimannagar before ending in a corner meeting. A vendor selling tea, samosas and cold drinks in Shivajinagar, Dhanajay Jadhav, said, “I made very good business in the last 15 days. My stall is right next to a candidate’s party office, so the flow of karyakartas is continuous.“In Sus village of Ward 9, a long padayatra drew scores of residents who marched alongside supporters, waving flags and sloganeered about better roads and services. NCP candidate Amol Balwadkar said the turnouts showed deep community engagement. “We saw crowds lining up to greet us in every lane. Even the youth turned up on bikes, talking about schools, safety, water and markets. It is this direct connection that makes the final days so intense.“Not just rallies and marches, posters representing joint party manifestos were unveiled, promising free metro and bus services and other civic improvements, after party leaders jointly outlined broad plans for the city’s future.During a padayatra on Sunday, NCP (SP) candidate Jayesh Murkute said Mahalunge and other newly added areas have had suffered from years of neglected planning. “Our vision for Ward 9 is systematic, transparent and people-centric. From safe, walkable, encroachment-free footpaths to robust waste management, DP road completion and accountable governance. Development must be planned, not patched up,” he said, adding that regular interaction with residents would remain central to his approach.Suhas Tingre, who is contesting in Ward 2, said, “There are bright banners, loudspeakers from morning and evening and people holding corner sabhas with questions. It’s vibrant and sometimes overwhelming, but that’s how democracy feels alive.”In Ward 6, Anand Goyal spent Sunday morning cycling from market to market with a small team, handing out flyers and fielding questions from shopkeepers and commuters alike. “Every street feels like a stage,” he said with a giggle.Shalini Deshpande, a school teacher from Aundh, said the weekend’s energy was exciting. “It felt like a festival with so many gatherings, colour and discussions. I got to hear plans from every side and I think it helped me understand the choices better.”Rajiv Patil, a software professional in Pimpri, said the intensity of loudspeakers and rallies felt too much sometimes. “It’s good to campaign, but the noise after 9pm is tough for families and kids,” he said.
