Campaigning for the upcoming Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections reached a fever pitch on Sunday, with just days remaining before the January 15 polling date. Candidates from all political parties and independents intensified their final efforts to connect with voters through a flurry of door-to-door visits, roadshows, and public rallies across the city.
Weekend Campaigning Sees Personal Appeals and Symbolic Rallies
Taking full advantage of the weekend, candidates focused on personal outreach, meeting residents in their homes to make direct appeals for support. The city's streets were filled with the sound of politics as over 700 specially designed campaign vehicles fitted with loudspeakers criss-crossed Nashik, broadcasting party messages and urging citizens to exercise their franchise.
The campaigning saw unique and symbolic rallies. In the Panchavati division, NCP MLA from Igatpuri, Hirman Khoskar, led a roadshow for NCP-Shiv Sena alliance candidates in Ward 1 and 6. His daughter, Indumati Bhoye (Khoskar), is contesting from Ward 6(A) on an NCP ticket. Khoskar expressed confidence in the alliance's performance, stating tickets were awarded to loyal party workers.
Former mayor Ashok Murtadak, contesting as an independent from Ward 5(D) after being denied a BJP ticket, organized a distinctive bike rally. His supporters carried replicas of books, which is his official poll symbol. Similarly, former BJP corporator Shashikant Jadhav, now an independent from Ward 10, took out a roadshow with a fleet of auto-rickshaws, matching his chosen symbol.
Parties and Alliances in the Fray for 122 Seats
The electoral battle is set among major political formations. The BJP is contesting independently on 118 seats, which includes three party-sponsored independents. Among its Mahayuti partners, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP are jointly contesting 102 and 40 seats, respectively.
On the opposing side, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) camp has its constituents in the race: Shiv Sena (UBT) is contesting 79 seats, the MNS 29, Congress 16, and the NCP (SP) several seats. In total, 735 candidates, including 208 independents, are vying for the 122 seats across 31 wards of the municipal corporation.
With campaigning set to conclude soon, all eyes are now on Nashik as it prepares to vote on January 15 to decide the city's civic leadership for the coming term.
