The high-stakes battle for the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations is being fought not just on the streets and in public meetings, but also in the dietary choices of the candidates. The relentless schedule of door-to-door visits, padayatras, and back-to-back meetings has forced a dramatic overhaul in eating habits, turning the campaign into a test of nutritional endurance as much as political stamina.
From Leisurely Breakfasts to Sunrise Smoothies
Gone are the days of heavy traditional lunches and relaxed morning meals. To keep pace with a schedule that often begins before sunrise, candidates have embraced a new, energy-focused food culture. Most now kickstart their day with a quick fruit and protein smoothie before heading out to connect with morning walkers in public gardens. Their campaign teams have taken on dual roles, acting as both political strategists and nutrition planners.
As they move from one housing society to another, core team members are now armed with salad boxes, fruit bowls, and hydration drinks alongside the usual pamphlets and voter lists. Rahul Kalate, a candidate from Ward 25 in Pimpri Chinchwad, exemplifies this shift. His day starts at 5:30 AM with a smoothie, followed by grazing on small meals like salads and roasted nuts from his car between appointments. "I slow down if I eat heavy food," Kalate explained, highlighting the need for sustained energy.
Wraps Replace Thalis in Campaign Offices
The traditional spread of chai, biscuits, sweets, and fried snacks has been conspicuously absent from this election cycle. In its place, campaign offices are stocking green tea, coconut water, and infused water. Afternoon planning sessions, crucial for reviewing feedback, are now powered by light meals like wraps and soups designed to avoid post-lunch sluggishness.
Anil Satav, contesting from Ward 3 in Pune, noted the dramatic change. "Earlier, elections meant tea, biscuits and sweets everywhere. This time, I told my team to keep salads and boiled vegetables ready," he said. The focus is squarely on food that replenishes energy after hours of walking under the sun and intense strategy meetings.
The 15-Hour Day: Dinner in the Car and Protein Bars on the Go
The marathon continues well into the night with evening rallies and society meetings, demanding its own portable food routine. Candidates are frequently seen sipping electrolyte drinks or munching on protein bars as they rush between venues. For many, dinner is a hurried affair in the car or a corner of the campaign office, often consisting of a healthy wrap or a bowl of soup instead of a full, heavy meal.
This adaptation is a necessity for survival. Candidate Jayesh Murkute pointed out that being on the move for nearly 15 hours daily leaves no time for proper sit-down meals. He carries quick, healthy bites like sprouts and paneer cubes to eat on the fly. In the closely contested area of Wanowrie, candidate Vaishnavi Kodre from Ward No 14 (Koregaon Park-Ghorpadi-Mundhwa) echoed this sentiment, stating that a heavy lunch would cost her two precious hours. She relies on salads, fruits, and hydration drinks to power through from morning walks to late-night meetings without feeling drained.
This widespread shift to a fitness-first diet underscores a larger transformation in Indian political campaigning, where physical endurance and constant connectivity have become as important as the political message itself.
