Nagpur witnessed a full-throttle political spectacle on Sunday, with just two days of campaigning remaining for the crucial Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections scheduled for January 15. The city transformed into a buzzing arena of democracy as parties and independent candidates launched an aggressive final push to woo voters.
Roadshows, Rallies, and Doorstep Appeals Dominate the Day
Targeting the employed electorate largely unavailable on weekdays, candidates deployed a multi-pronged strategy. The streets echoed with the roar of bike rallies, the rhythm of pad yatras (foot marches), and the fervour of high-decibel roadshows. Simultaneously, quieter mohalla meetings and intensive door-to-door canvassing aimed to connect with voters in residential pockets.
Senior leaders and political heavyweights from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress crisscrossed the city, holding multiple public meetings. Their goal was twofold: to directly appeal to voters and to energise their party cadres for the last leg of the race.
The faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar heavily relied on roadshows to emphasise its grassroots connection. Manoj Sangole, a five-time corporator, led a substantial two-wheeler rally in his constituency, stating such outreach is critical in the final phase.
BJP's Confidence and Undercurrents of Discontent
The BJP left no stone unturned, with several candidates opting for high-visibility roadshows. Virendra Kukreja, the BJP candidate from Prabhag 1, explained that Sunday was deliberately chosen to dominate the city's streets. "This is about confidence, unity and momentum going into polling day," Kukreja said. Adding star power, Bhojpuri actor and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari addressed public meetings aimed at wooing voters from northern states residing in Nagpur.
However, the day also revealed undercurrents of dissent within mainstream parties. The Parivartan Panel, a group comprising disgruntled workers from both the BJP and Congress, organised a major rally in Prabhag 31. The event attracted thousands, signalling potential internal discontent that could influence the poll outcome.
Contrasting Campaign Styles on Display
While some candidates embraced large rallies complete with DJs and loud sloganeering, others adopted a more subdued approach. Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) candidates, for instance, focused on pad yatras and concentrated mohalla meetings. Many consciously avoided flashy events, preferring personal, door-to-door interactions to maximise the Sunday outreach window when families were likely to be home.
Former BJP corporator Jitendra Kukde, who led a massive bike rally, called it a show of strength designed as much to motivate party workers as to reach voters.
Political observers noted that the final Sunday before polling has evolved into a test of organisational stamina and ground-level energy rather than a debate on policy. "It is about who can occupy space, sustain visibility and keep cadres motivated till the end," an analyst remarked, as the intense campaigning enters its final stretch ahead of the Tuesday deadline.
