Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, it seems, is making up for years of hoarding-less birthday. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader used to instruct his supporters ahead of his birthday to not put up any banners. But this year, with the state assembly polls nearing, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad can be seen dotted with banners not only wishing Pawar on his birthday but also listing the achievements of the Congress-NCP alliance and the work it has done in Maharashtra.
Pawar, who is also Pune's guardian minister, celebrated his birthday on July 22, as can be seen in the numerous hoardings across the city. At many places, the hoardings don't contain just birthday wishes, party workers have mentioned how Rs500 crore has been invested for irrigation purpose. Some state how NCP has provided assistance to women self-help groups for women empowerment, and made efforts for farmers' betterment.
Suhas Palshikar, professor in the department of politics and public administration at the University of Pune, said, "It was on the cards. As elections are nearing, every political party will push hard to reach out to people. However, considering the recent results of Lok Sabha elections, it is more evident that Congress and NCP will make more effort to reach out to voters ahead of the assembly polls."
In the backdrop of Congress leader Narayan Rane's recent statments, that the party failed in taking its work to the people, Palshikar said, "I will not be surprised if Congress and NCP take a more aggressive stand in campaigning and projecting their work."
However, the civic body seems to be turning a blind eye to the illegality of it all. Last year, Bombay high court had asked the civic administration to take down all illegal hoardings within 24 hours, after which PMC had carried out a massive drive. But, with polls nearing, it seems there are no objections to the same blocking the city's skyline.
Vijay Dahibhate, head of sky signs department of PMC, admitted that the number of political banners have increased. "They are defacing the city's skyline. At present, we are taking action against commercial hoardings. Soon, we will take action against political ones."
When asked, NCP spokesperson Ankush Kakade said, "Ajit Dada himself does not like such posters and he has given partymen several warnings. However, there are some who sometimes want to put up their own photos with party leaders and that is why we are seeing these posters and banners in the city. Though Pawar is against it, we can't make our party workers unhappy."
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