Leaders race to retain influence

Prestige battles intensify across Nashik district as senior leaders push hard ahead of Dec 2 municipal and panchayat polls

- FPJ News Network

The upcoming Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections scheduled for Dec 2 in Nashik district have taken on a distinctly political colour, with the prestige of senior leaders at stake as parties attempt either to retain power or wrest control.

Elections will be held in Igatpuri, Sinnar, Pimpalgaon Baswant, Yeola, Nandgaon, Manmad, Satana, Chandwad, Trimbakeshwar and Bhagur. Speeches and rallies by heavyweight leaders such as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Gulabrao Patil, MP Shrikant Shinde, Sushma Andhare and Sujata Ambedkar have intensified the campaign, with more rallies expected in the final phase.

Although top leaders have created a charged atmosphere with their rallies, local issues are likely to be decisive, making these polls a battle for the survival of local leaders.

Ministers, MPs and MLAs have thrown themselves into the campaign.

Yeola