Pune: Local politicians, including sitting corporators, who were generously distributing special Diwali gifts to people last year ahead of the civic elections, have gone missing this year. 

The festival of lights started on Tuesday with Dhantrayodashi. Citizens from across the city are wondering why their local corporators have not even cared to send them a greeting card this year. 

Citizens clarified that they were not hankering for Diwali gifts. But their local corporator should at least send customary greetings, which would strengthen the citizens-representative relationship.

Last year, several aspiring candidates and sitting corporators distributed Diwali gifts such as diyas, soaps, sugandhi utane (traditional perfumed powder) and oil, rangoli, candles and sweets to citizens at their doorstep. 

Some aspiring candidates went to the extent of distributing costly items such as pressure cookers, utensils etc., while some had organised cultural programmes such as ‘Diwali Pahat’ to woo voters.

However, gifts, along with greetings, have gone missing this year. Citizens underline this 360-degree change in their public representatives. 

Jokes are making rounds on the social media asking the whereabouts of local politicians and corporators.

Civic activist Vivek Velankar said as there is no civic election for the next four-and-a-half years, local politicians have restricted spending on gifts. “Elected corporators’ purpose has been served. So, why would they distribute Diwali gifts by burning a hole in their pocket?” he said. 

Citizens know this very well. So, they have started cracking jokes on the social media platforms, Velankar added.