1 week Ago By Sarang Dastane
Pune: A few hours before MVA candidate Ashwini Kadam 's padayatra (foot rally) was set to begin in Bibvewadi on Friday evening, an auto bearing her posters and a loudspeaker was already making rounds of the area's streets, announcing her arrival. Several woman functionaries of the local unit of MVA parties, sporting bright and celebratory saris, could be seen preparing for her arrival. Kadam, a Sahakarnagar resident and former PMC standing committee chairman, will be contesting her second consecutive assembly poll from the Parvati seat and squaring off against BJP's senior functionary, three-time MLA Madhuri Misal .
On the same day, Misal kept busy in a series of meetings with members of various housing societies from Chavannagar and adjacent areas, before beginning her own evening rally around Salisbury Park. "Our day starts early, around 7am," Misal told TOI, adding, "We aim to meet the maximum people ahead of polling day." Named after the historic Parvati hill, this is the only assembly seat among 11 constituencies in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad that will witness a "women-centric" battle — both major alliances Mahayuti and MVA have fielded a woman candidate here.
However, the entry of Aba Bagul, a senior Congress functionary and former deputy mayor contesting as an independent, has added a twist to the contest. On Friday, Bagul held meetings with several supporters and various groups, claiming to TOI that he received an overwhelming response from citizens so far. Besides these three heavyweights, it is of note that Parvati constituency is set to see a ‘unique' poll battle in 2024, with at least of the total 15 candidates here being women.
A local source said two more 'Ashwini Kadams (contesting as independents) are in the fight, apart from MVA's candidate. But Kadam was nonplussed, and told TOI that "it is good to see more women contesting elections". "I have been active in the political field for many years.
Women should join politics as they have the capability to work for people," she said, adding that she was confident of an outcome in her favour this time. A supporter of Kadam added that her rallies and padayatras are being planned almost daily now. Kadam has covered the maximum areas possible on foot in the last two weeks, including localities along Satara Road, where Misal has set up an election office.
On the other hand, busy checking the voters' list at this election office, a supporter of Misal said he was confident of her record fourth consecutive win. "Madhuritai has been active in the segment for two decades. She knows the issues and is working to resolve them.
Many long-pending problems, including concerns of Panshet flood-affected citizens, have been resolved. Infra works are underway to resolve traffic chaos. She has a good rapport with residents of the constituency and in housing societies," the supporter said.
Similarly, Bagul's son Hemant said his father's campaign is getting an increasing response. "Every day, people from various parts of the constituency are extending support to him," said Hemant. Explaining his stand, candidate Bagul said despite being a "suitable" candidate for the Parvati seat, he was denied a ticket.
"I have been active in the constituency for over three decades. My team has implemented many citizen-centric projects successfully in areas of Sahakarnagar, Parvati and Satara Road. Various groups, federations and social forums have extended their support to me now," he said.
One of Bagul's supporters pointed out that he was the first to propose a High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) for the city to resolve traffic issues, adding that the proposal was just delayed at the administrative level. The candidates are vying for a seat where residents have some long-standing concerns. Citizens from Parvati constituency say traffic chaos has increased significantly and travelling on the chaotic Satara and Solapur roads has become a major challenge.
A resident told TOI, "The future MLA must work on resolving traffic problems. Besides this, delays in the implementation of SRA projects are also a concern. Regular visitors to Parvati, Taljai and nearby hills said illegal huts are encroaching on the hills.
This needs urgent attention." Major infra works planned in the next five years in this segment are Metro's extension from Swargate to Katraj, a flyover and grade separator at Gangadham Chowk, and a flyover on Sinhagad Road..
