Municipal Polls Enter Decisive Phase

The municipal election campaign has entered its decisive phase with the end of public campaigning. Over the past week, streets echoed with loudspeakers, speeches, promises, and door-to-door outreach by candidates and star campaigners. As campaigning draws to a close, attention now shifts to the crucial 48-hour silence period before polling, widely seen as the real “turning point” that can influence electoral outcomes.

During this period, allegations of inducements have intensified, with reports of cash distribution, liquor, and meat being used to woo voters. Sources indicate that in major municipalities, candidates are allegedly prepared to distribute ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 per vote, while smaller municipalities have rates ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000. Beyond individual inducements, candidates are also said to be striking group-level deals with community leaders, offering assurances on temples, community halls, and land allocations. Senior political leaders are closely monitoring ward-wise developments, deploying strategies to shore up weak areas, making these final two days critical in shaping the election results.