12 January,2026 08:41 PM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
NCP chief Ajit Pawar releases the manifesto for Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Election on Sunday. PIC/X
The political atmosphere across Maharashtra's Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad turned intense and noisy on Sunday as parties pulled out all stops on the final weekend ahead of the civic polls scheduled for Thursday, January 15. With only two days left before the official end of campaigning on Tuesday, January 13, candidates and party leaders intensified their outreach through rallies, roadshows, bike rallies, and door-to-door meetings.
The final Sunday before polling emerged as a full-scale "mega campaign day", with society meetings, corner meetings, and ward-level processions unfolding simultaneously across residential and commercial pockets of the twin cities. Campaign vehicles fitted with loudspeakers, traditional dhol-tasha troupes, and high-decibel music systems were widely used to draw attention.
Senior leaders were also active on the ground. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis led a roadshow in Bhosari, while Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar released the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP's) civic poll manifesto for Pimpri-Chinchwad. The manifesto release gained political significance as Pawar shared the stage with his cousin and Member of Parliament (MP) Supriya Sule - a rare public appearance since the NCP split - amid an otherwise aggressive campaign atmosphere.
Candidates across party lines sought to capitalise on the weekend, when most residents were available at home.
"As citizens are more accessible on Sundays, we began door-to-door campaigning early in the morning, with a break in the afternoon," said Raju Misal, one of the aspirants for civic polls.
However, the intensified outreach did not go down well with everyone. Several residents complained that the constant noise from campaign vehicles, repeated doorbell ringing, and pamphlet distribution caused inconvenience, particularly to students preparing for upcoming board examinations.
A parent from Pune said the disturbance was excessive.
"I don't know how much these campaign songs actually help candidates win, but they certainly disturbed our children a lot. Exams are just around the corner. Doorbells kept ringing, pamphlets piled up at home, and most of it went unread. It felt like a complete waste," the parent said.
Students and senior citizens, in particular, expressed frustration over loudspeakers and late-evening campaign activity, calling for stricter enforcement of noise regulations during elections.
With the polling day approaching, the political temperature continues to rise. Parties are sharpening their attacks and highlighting promises related to infrastructure, transport, water supply, and civic services, even as voters appear increasingly cautious and critical of last-minute assurances.
Despite the festive energy of rallies and roadshows, the mood among voters reflects a growing demand for accountability and tangible governance outcomes rather than rhetoric.
As Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad head into the final leg of the civic election battle, the coming days are expected to witness even more intense campaigning - though residents hope it will strike a balance between democratic outreach and civic responsibility.
A colourful vintage car rally featuring classic automobiles dating back to 1935 rolled through the streets of Pimpri-Chinchwad on Sunday, drawing crowds and turning heads as part of a large-scale voter awareness campaign ahead of the civic elections scheduled for January 15.
Organised by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) under the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.
Flagging off the rally, Election Observer Sarita Narke appealed to citizens to exercise their right to vote responsibly, noting that the state government has declared January 15 a public holiday to facilitate maximum voter turnout.
"Voting is a vital responsibility of every citizen and plays a crucial role in strengthening democracy," she said.
