Pune: As the municipal elections in Maharashtra approach, the Congress party has intensified its preparations in Pune, appointing constituency-wise observers and assistant observers to oversee electoral strategy. These officials will engage with party workers, conduct meetings, and strengthen the party’s presence at the grassroots level.

With the local body elections expected to take place in April-May, political activity has gained momentum. Recently, BJP’s Maharashtra state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule hinted at the upcoming polls, prompting all major political parties to kick-start their preparations.

In Pune, leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), held a strategic meeting. It was unanimously decided that MVA would contest the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections as a united front, consolidating opposition efforts against the ruling BJP.

Congress Appoints Observers for Election Management

Congress city president Arvind Shinde has appointed observers and assistant observers for each Assembly constituency under Pune Municipal Corporation’s jurisdiction. These officials are tasked with:

• Holding meetings with local party workers

• Organizing gatherings to mobilize support

• Strengthening party organization at the constituency level

• Submitting progress reports to city Congress leadership

According to Congress city vice president Ajit Darekar, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has directed party officials to conduct structured election campaigns and assess constituency-wise readiness.

Constituency-Wise Observer Appointments

• Wadgaon Sheri – Balasaheb Shivarkar and Santosh Arde have been appointed as the observer and assistant observer, respectively.

• Shivajinagar – Avinash Bagve will serve as the observer, with Rajendra Bhutada as the assistant observer.

• Kothrud – Sunil Shinde has been assigned as the observer, while Sandeep Mokate will assist him as the assistant observer.

• Parvati – Sanjay Balgude takes charge as the observer, supported by assistant observer Satish Pawar.

• Pune Cantonment – Deepti Choudhary has been appointed as the observer, with Mehboob Nadaf assisting her.

• Kasba Peth – Abhay Chhajed will oversee the constituency as the observer, with Ajit Darekar as the assistant observer.

• Hadapsar – Sujit Yadav has been designated as the observer, with Devidas Lonkar serving as the assistant observer.