With the countdown to the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections now at a critical 10-day mark, candidates from all political factions have launched an aggressive door-to-door campaign blitz. This surge in grassroots activity followed the official announcement of the final candidate list this past Saturday, which provided much-needed clarity after the withdrawal deadline.
Weekend Mobilisation Marks Campaign Launch
Sunday emerged as the first major day of intense, ground-level mobilisation, being the first weekend after the final list was confirmed. Candidates, fresh from securing party tickets after intense internal lobbying, immediately fanned out across their respective wards. The strategy was clear: capitalise on the weekend when families were most likely to be at home. Door-to-door visits dominated the day's efforts, with nominees aiming to establish a direct connection with as many voters as possible in this short window.
The campaign tempo was set earlier by key party leaders. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray addressed party cadre on December 27, urging them to fortify their grassroots outreach and ensure a strong, personal voter connection ahead of the polls. His visit reportedly energised the party's rank and file, particularly in crucial urban areas.
Senior Leaders Kickstart Party Campaigns
On Sunday itself, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formally launched its campaign with water resources minister and senior leader Girish Mahajan, alongside the party's state president Ravindra Chavan, addressing a gathering of party workers. Across key divisions like Cidco, Nashik Road, and Nashik East, panels comprising four candidates organised rallies and padayatras (foot marches) through various neighbourhood colonies.
These groups combined pamphlet distribution with personal interactions, aiming to build early visibility in what is anticipated to be a highly competitive civic election. Former BJP corporator Shashikant Jadhav, now contesting as an independent, stated he had already begun his outreach. "I started meeting residents in my ward and the response so far is encouraging," Jadhav said. He highlighted his focus on development works and upgrading basic infrastructure like roads, sewage lines, and streetlights if elected.
Candidates Report Positive Voter Feedback
Echoing the effectiveness of the weekend strategy, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sanjay Chavan also launched his door-to-door campaign on Sunday. "Since it was a holiday, most residents were at home. I was able to meet many people and received very good feedback," Chavan noted. He added that voters displayed a keen interest in discussing ward-level issues directly with the candidates, underscoring the importance of hyper-local engagement in municipal polls.
As the election date draws nearer, this intense, personal mode of campaigning is expected to define the final stretch. The focus remains squarely on local issues, development promises, and the candidates' ability to connect with the electorate on their doorstep, setting the stage for a closely watched civic battle in Nashik.
