Pune: Political parties in the city, with less than two weeks remaining for campaigning, are set to launch an aggressive outreach drive centred on rallies, padyatras, corner meetings and small gatherings as part of their daily campaign schedule.The BJP is planning public meetings addressed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis across all eight assembly segments in the city. The NCP, meanwhile, will rely heavily on deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, along with NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule and senior leaders from both NCP parties. Shiv Sena, led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, has distributed around 150 A and B forms to its candidates but has yet to finalise its alliance pact with the BJP. Party leaders, however, said Shinde is certain to campaign in the city.The public campaign is scheduled to conclude on Jan 13, two days before the city goes to the polls on Jan 15. Sources from major political parties said the limited timeline has posed a challenge for parties as well as candidates. While plans for large public rallies by senior leaders are being finalised, daily ward-level campaigns are expected to begin over the next few days.A BJP leader said the party’s poll campaign plan is still getting ready. “The picture will be clearer on Friday, the final day for withdrawal of nominations. Campaigning will pick up pace from the coming weekend. We are distributing campaign material to candidates, and handouts are already being circulated across wards,” the leader said.The BJP on Wednesday flagged off campaign vehicles for the civic polls and inaugurated a media centre on Thursday.Leaders from the NCP said the party has begun organising ward-wise meetings of workers, supporters and sympathisers. One such meeting of workers was held in the Baner-Balewadi area on Thursday, with another planned in Khadakwasla on Friday. “Communication kiosks are being set up in every ward, and our manifesto for the civic polls will be released soon,” a party leader said.A senior NCP leader said the party has already announced its star campaigners and plans to maximise their presence during the campaign. “Ajit Pawar will lead the overall campaign,” he added.For the Pune Municipal Corporation polls, NCP and NCP (SP) are contesting together, while the BJP is likely to ally with Shiv Sena. The Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have finalised a seat-sharing agreement.Box: ## Plan of parties for next 2 weeks: # Aggressive campaign in offing for 2 weeks # Parties plan rallies, bike rallies, foot-yatras, corner meetings # City units to invite star campaigners, state leaders # BJP plans public meetings of CM Devendra Fadnavis; NCP looks for Ajit Pawar rallies.
