Pune's 2026 Elections: Robot Dogs, Floating Billboards, and Instagram-Worthy Campaigns
Election season in Pune used to follow a predictable script. Candidates wore traditional kurtas and handed out pamphlets. Banners covered street corners. Rally speeches boomed from large stages. The 2026 Pune Municipal Corporation elections have shattered that old template completely.
A New Era of Campaigning
This year, political campaigning has transformed into a wild mix of technology and boundless creativity. Candidates now understand that every campaign moment must look perfect for Instagram. They aim to capture attention and go viral online.
A robot dog campaigns for a party right in the middle of a busy street. It draws bigger crowds than any human campaigner could manage. In tech-savvy areas like Viman Nagar and Hinjewadi, campaigns adopt a sleek, corporate style. They even use PowerPoint presentations as tools to persuade voters.
Creative Stunts and Viral Moments
Boats row through the Parvati area with campaign workers on board. They unfurl banners and chant slogans from the water. Environmentalists raise concerns about the impact of such aquatic campaigning. But the stunning images and videos spread rapidly on social media. That viral potential drives the strategy.
Candidates organize energetic bike rallies through the city. The NCP uses mini trucks fitted with huge cardboard clocks that rotate slowly. These clocks carry a message in Marathi: "kaam karat aaloy, kaam karat rahu." It translates to "I have always been working, and will continue working."
In a local salon, a beautician creates detailed nail art for a customer. The design features the face of Eknath Shinde etched across the fingernails. Near the Deccan area, a man completely draped in the BJP's signature saffron stands at traffic signals. He moves between vehicles during red lights, acting as a living, breathing billboard.
Unexpected Mascots and Political Legacy
A simple street dog has become an unofficial political mascot. A BJP campaigning banner hangs around its neck as it trots through neighbourhoods. This humble canine attracts smiles and photos from residents.
Some candidates rely on something that money and technology cannot buy: legacy. Families with three generations in politics campaign with a clear message. They tell voters they are not newcomers. They represent continuity and deep-rooted experience.
The Omnipresent Campaign
The campaigns for the 2026 Pune municipal elections have evolved into a louder, more creative framework. Politicians realize that to reach voters today, their campaigns must be everywhere. They must change shape constantly and keep surprising people. From robot dogs to floating billboards, Pune's political landscape now thrives on being Instagram-worthy at every turn.
