While the saffron party is bringing out the big guns by organising rallies by Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh, the MNS is not far behind with Raj Thackeray-led rallies. Congress, on the other hand, lays low
BJP president Rajnath Singh was in the city yesterday. Pic/Mohan Patil
The final countdown to the Lok Sabha elections in Pune has begun and BJP and MNS candidates are bringing their top guns to make sure they win. Congress is yet to ascertain if their top brass will campaign for them in the city.
BJP president Rajnath Singh was in the city yesterday. Pic/Mohan Patil
BJP is preparing for the Pune Lok Sabha battle with their scheduled rallies involving veteran leaders Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, Gopinath Munde and Nitin Gadkari in the next few days.
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Not far behind is the MNS, which kicked off its Pune campaigns by organising a series of rallies led by party chief Raj Thackeray in different parts of the city.
The Congress campaign, on the other hand, has turned cold, with none of their top leaders making an appearance in the city to support their candidate Vishwajeet Kadam.
The MNS has openly declared its support for Modi for the prime minister's post, but of the 10 seats MNS is contesting from the state, they are fighting head-on with the BJP in Pune.
With election day drawing closer, contenders are doing whatever it takes to win the voters to their side.
BJP president Rajnath Singh interacted with party workers and addressed a press conference yesterday. The party's former president and senior leader Nitin Gadkari will be holding a massive rally in Ganesh Kalakrida Manch on April 15. Gopinath Munde will also be visiting the city in the coming days.
Star power: BJP city candidate Anil Shirole with party president Rajnath Singh at a press conference. Singh is one of the many senior leaders who will be campaigning. Pic/Mohan Patil
To strengthen their campaign, the BJP city unit has scheduled Modi's rally for April 12, five days before city goes to polls on April 17.
Similarly, MNS also has its eyes set on the Pune seat. On March 31, Raj launched the party's Lok Sabha election campaign in the city with a big rally at Mutha riverbank and also held a couple of rallies in suburbs last Sunday.
BJP's game plan
On including their top leaders in their campaign strategy, BJP corporator Madhuri Sahasrabuddhe said, "Past experiences have shown how last-minute rallies comprising senior leaders have changed the election game. As Pune is a prestigious seat, the party has invited all top leaders."
BJP spokesperson Shreepad Dhekane said, "In Pune, MNS is acting as the B-team of the Congress. Today, party president Rajnath Singh also targeted the MNS by saying that many parties are coming forward to use the Modi brand. But our main fight is with the Congress."
MNS reacts
"Raj has already conducted three rallies in the city. On April 14, he will be addressing another two rallies in Kothrud and Parvati areas respectively." Anil Shidore, MNS general secretary told mid-day.
Thousands had come out to attend Raj Thackeray’s rally at the Mutha riverbank on March 31. He will be holding another one in Kothrud on April 14
Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthee Sena (MNVS) city president Sudhir Dhawde said, "No matter how many senior leaders BJP brings to the city, MNS' Deepak Paigude is going to win the election.
One of the main reasons for this is that BJP is divided in many segments and there is no unity in the party. Raj Saheb's frequent rallies are also giving party workers energy to keep the momentum going in our campaigns."
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