Pune: Residents across the city have decided to no longer take it lying down and are barring civic poll campaigners from entering their housing societies over unfulfilled election promises down the years.With the ongoing final week before the civic polls and campaigns hitting a crescendo, candidates are criss-crossing wards with daily visits, door-to-door appeals as auto-rickshaws blare jingles on loudspeakers. However they are being met with unrelenting voters who are putting aspirants to the test.In Dhanori, society members angry over persistent water supply issues sent away canvassing politicians and their supporters. On Sinhagad Road, societies have objected to the noise pollution caused by autos fitted with loudspeakers.Balewadi saw Sai Silicon Valley housing society members put up a banner that only candidates who remove a local wine shop will get their votes. Ameya Kinalekar, a resident, said their message was loud and clear. “The wine shop illegally took a no-objection certificate from concerned authorities to operate. We have been protesting for 10 years, but continue to face the nuisance caused by patrons. There are close to 150 voters in our society and we have support from adjacent societies too.“Across several neighbourhoods, residents said they were tired of hearing the same assurances every five years while basic infrastructure continued to crumble. Resultantly, they are turning away candidates and their teams.Resident of a Dhanori society Mohit Sharma said, “We have been complaining about irregular water supply for years. Tankers are a permanent arrangement for us. Candidates remember us only during elections. This time, we told them to fix the problem before asking for votes.”A senior citizen from a Sinhagad Road housing complex, Vishwanath More, said, “The noise pollution caused by autos fitted with loudspeakers and blaring campaign songs is unbearable. It plays from morning till night. There are people working from home, students with exams and elderly people who need rest. Is this how a democracy should sound?”In Wagholi, where rapid development has outpaced infrastructure, residents have drawn a firm line over dust pollution from ongoing construction and poor road conditions. Several societies have decided not to entertain any candidate visits until the dust issue is addressed. “We only breathe dust. Our vehicles are damaged and children fall sick. If candidates cannot ensure basic living conditions, why should we give them our time?” said a local resident, Keshav Satav.In another Wagholi housing society, Kalpak Homes, a notice has been put up on the main gate and it clearly says members’ votes would go to candidates who ensure them their basic rights. The banner notes the demands of nearly 7,000 residents from the neighbourhood. It includes systematic underground drainage and sewage lines, municipal water supply, motorable internal roads, regular garbage collection and scientific disposal as well as functional street lights.Political observer Prakash Pawar said the growing assertiveness indicated a shift in mindset among urban voters. “People are no longer impressed by rallies or slogans. They want accountability and measurable action,” he added.
