With schemes like Ladki Bahin proving electorally successful in recent assembly polls, political parties contesting the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections have made freebies a central focus in their manifestos. The promises primarily target women voters, senior citizens, and small homeowners.On Saturday, both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) unveiled a joint manifesto, marking the first occasion since the party split that Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule appeared together politically.
Their manifesto pledged free travel for women on Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) buses and Metro services, a waiver of property tax for homes up to 500 square feet, and other welfare measures aimed at easing urban living costs.However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was quick to criticize the NCP’s promises. State higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil questioned their feasibility, noting that free travel on PMPML buses and the Metro would require state government approval.
“Such announcements sound attractive but cannot be implemented without the chief minister and state government’s consent. Who authorised Ajit Pawar to make these unilateral claims?” Patil said during a press briefing in Pune. The BJP’s own manifesto, released by leaders Murlidhar Mohol and Chandrakant Patil, similarly promises fare concessions for women on PMPML buses and Metro services over the next five years.
Additionally, the BJP has assured free bus travel for senior citizens above 75 years, free medical check-ups for citizens over 30, and property tax waivers for smaller homes.The Congress manifesto, unveiled by former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, focuses mainly on public transport subsidies, pledging free PMPML bus travel for women if elected.
The party also backs property tax relief for economically weaker sections residing in small homes.Shiv Sena has echoed these assurances, promising public transport fare concessions for women and continuation of schemes like Ladki Bahin. Deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, visiting Pune on Friday, emphasized the scheme’s impact on recent electoral victories. “Women’s turnout during our roadshows shows how effective the scheme has been. It will not be rolled back under any circumstances,” he said.
Despite political rivalries, a common thread across manifestos is the promise to waive property tax on houses up to 500 square feet an attempt to appeal to middle- and lower-income urban voters ahead of the civic polls.Meanwhile, activists have criticized these schemes as election tactics.
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