Politicians clutter city skyline

Ajit Pawar’s poster on Chatuhshringi chowk,Senapati Bapat Road,is almost impossible to miss. Comfortably placed next to the gigantic poster are photographs of wellwisher— Laxman Jagtap,Appa Renuse,Aniket Tatkare and Vishal Tam— who are publicly celebrating Pawar’s election as the deputy chief minister even a week after he was appointed.

At Deep Bungalow Chowk,there is a mini-tussle among parties. A large poster of Ajit Pawar with ‘Dada’ written on it along with the photograph of one Vinod Chanduanna Orase,grabs the eyeballs. At the bottom is a photograph of MNS’s Ramesh Wanjale wearing his signature golden jewellry and posing like MNS chief Raj Thackerey. Photographs of 17 well-wishers of Ramesh Wanjale Fan Club who tag Wanjale as ‘Golden MLA’,share space on the same poster. Shiv Sena follows MNS even here as five activists wish one Sanjaybhau Dongre of Shivajinagar constituency a happy birthday along with a happy Diwali.

At the University Signal,the list of the ‘happy lot’ wishing Ajit Pawar includes Pramod Nimhan,corporator,PMC,Nilesh Nikam,leader of house,PMC,Baburao Chandere,corporator,PMC along with Appa Renuse,vice president,Education Board,Ankush Kakde,president,MHADA all of whom are in some way or the other way associated with the civic authorities. “With the growing rates of advertisements in newspapers and television channels,the small activist of a party is losing the much needed space to express himself. This is the only way he can convey to the leaders that he is happy about his leader’s success,” said Nilesh Nikam,leader of house,PMC whose photograph appears on all the posters put up at University Circle area.

The case is no different at Karve Road,Tilak Road,Bajirao Road where in addition to small flexes by different friend circles are the posters of Pawar with well wishers such as Vandana Chavan,Baburao Chandere,corporator and so on. While the crowded Swargate chowk has three hoardings of Pawar,the two wheeler bridge near Poona Hospital has one overlooking the Mutha river. The activists also do not seem to be running short of occasions to be noticed; as countless number of hoardings convey nothing but wishes for birthdays,condolences,festive greetings and so on. For instance,one Aparna Gosavi Mitra parivar wishes her happy Diwali near Senapati Bapat Road while Vishal Lokhande conveys condolences on the second death anniversary of one Neeraj Mormare near S P College.

“ As leaders we are not always aware of the activists who put up posters. However,on party-level,we have decided to take action against such partymen,” said Ankush Kakde,chairman,MHADA and NCP spokesperson.