Poll managers in Sangli-Satara and Pune told mid-day that they were brainstorming to replace cash incentives with valuables such as gold or diamonds. “As of now, items like gold and diamonds look feasible, but we will have to figure out how to get a large number of such articles from the market. That too will involve cash transactions,” said a leader.

A campaign manager said some voters are demanding flats or small stakes in projects that the candidates (who are mostly contractors) are working on. “Innovative minds are working for a solution. The candidates are mulling on every possible option to woo voters,” said a voter, who has been approached by poll managers of a retired IAS officer in the fray.