Pune polls: Candidates offer voters SUVs, gold, free Thailand trip
text_fields
Pune: In Maharashtra’s Pune, where municipal elections are around, candidates are courting voters, promising them bewildering gifts that range from expensive SUVs, gold, expensive sarees, to foreign trips to destinations like Thailand, according to media reports.
A candidate in Lohgaon-Dhanori ward offered 11 voters 1,100 square feet of land each through a ‘lucky draw’, reports NDTV. According to the report, ‘registration’ for the same has begun already.
A second candidate, who contests from Viman Nagar, offered couples a 5-day luxury trip to Thailand.
In certain wards, candidates are offering SUVs, two-wheelers, gold jewellery, etc., through ‘lucky draws’.
Meanwhile, some candidates targeted female voters, offering them Paithani sarees, sewing machines and cycles. Paithani is a handwoven silk saree with vibrant colours and intricate designs sewn directly into the fabric with pure gold or silver, says NDTV.
Further, cricket leagues have been started with cash prizes of Rs 1 lakh, aiming at cricket enthusiasts among voters.
The last date for filing of nominations is December 30, and scrutiny of papers will be done on December 31.
The deadline for withdrawal of nominations is January 2. The final list of candidates and symbol allocation will be done on January 3
Polling will be held for 2,869 seats of corporators across 29 civic bodies, including Mumbai, with more than 3.48 crore voters eligible to exercise their franchise on January 15. Counting is scheduled for the following day.