Mumbai/Thane/Kalyan: It was a final dash to the finish line for candidates and netas across the city as the deadline for campaigning for the assembly polls ended at 5pm on Monday evening. Even in the final lap, candidates made a scramble to reach out to voters with road shows, bike rallies, door-to-door outreach, corner meetings and neighbourhood rallies. Celebrities including former cricketers, film stars and netas from other states were also visible.
BJP’s Ameet Satam, candidate from Andheri (West), said he has tried to highlight his initiatives and vision for the next five years. Apart from rallies and roadshows, Satam focused on door-to-door visits to voters. “After receiving a tremendous response from the people of Andheri (West), our focus is now on ensuring the highest voter turnout. We all will work towards ensuring maximum voting on polling day,” said Satam.
Congress’s Amin Patel, candidate from Mumbadevi, organised a bike rally. “I wanted people to be part of a memorable election rally experience – be a part of the growth story of the Mumbadevi area with me. The bike rally was to tell people that the pace of progress is going to increase further. We ran a positive and forward-looking campaign,” Patel said. Former cricketer Mohammed Azharduddin and senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot campaigned for him in Mumbadevi. Among senior netas, Shiv sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray addressed a meeting in Bandra (E) where his party’s candidate Varun Sardesai is contesting. Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray also held a bike rally in his constituency of Worli while cm Eknath Shinde addressed rallies in Thane and was in a road show for Shiv Sena’s Shaina NC in Mumbadevi.
BJP’s Mihir Kotecha who is fighting from Mulund said, “I went to various societies and interacted with the residents. Understood their problems, expressed determination to take necessary action to resolve them. We are always committed to the development of every society and the welfare of its residents. Their trust and cooperation is the foundation of Mulund’s progress.” Many celebrities came together to support BJP’s Ashish Shelar who is contesting from Bandra West. Artists from the Marathi and Hindi film industry participated in a rally for Shelar. A bike rally was also held by his rival, Bandra West Congress nominee Asif Zakaria.
In Thane, the Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat where CM Eknath Shinde is contesting saw rallies held by supporters. Shinde was missing due to his commitments, but his wife Lata and MP Naresh Mhaske took the lead. UBT candidate Kedar Dighe, who is contesting against Shinde, also led a rally. Meanwhile, candidates Rajan Vichare of Sena (UBT) and Mahayuti’s Sanjay Kelkar paid respects to the late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe’s memorial. A rally was organized for BJP candidate Sulabha Gaikwad from Kalyan (E). Shiv Sena candidate Rajesh Kadam from Kalyan Rural took out a rally of 2,000 bikes.
(With inputs from Chaitanya Marpakwar, Richa Pinto, Manoj Badgeri & Pradeep Gupta)