Civic polls: Only a scooter for this candidate’s campaign

Two women in Pimpri-Chinchwad are reaching out to voters without traffic congestion as well as sound and air pollution. Preeti and Pooja Jadhav, daughters of Smita Jadhav, Shiv Sena candidate from Vijayanagar, Kalewadi (panel number 46), are using their Bajaj Wave to campaign for their mother.

Preeti told DNA, “There are 21,000 voters in our ward. We have only seven days for campaigning. Roads in Pimpri are already congested. We do not want to add

to the woes of the people by causing snarls with huge rallies. So we use our two-wheeler, which is fitted with a portable sound system and a wireless mike. That is the only vehicle that participates in our padyatra.”

The sisters have put up flags on the scooter. According to Pooja, it is easier to park the vehicle on the congested roads of Kalewadi and address people. Preeti has just completed her masters in business administration (MBA), while Pooja is in the second year of bachelor of engineering, BE (Civil).

The Jadhavs say they have met about 50% of the voters in the ward. They have been able to curtail expenditure on the campaign as the scooter needs less petrol.

Preeti said another benefit of using scooters is that it arouses the voters’ curiosity. Preeti drives the vehicle, while Pooja as pillion
rider, holds the mike.