Pune: Search for large grounds for rallies has become a challenge for political parties, with popular venues like Ganesh Kala Krida Manch being handed over to the election department to set up offices. Besides, some well-known colleges that used to rent out their premises have refused to allow rallies on their grounds. With this, political parties are left with few locations like Riverside Road, Alka Talkies Chowk and the racecourse to hold the events.
Politicians are, however, not too keen on holding rallies at junctions as it might lead to traffic jams and, in turn, voters' backlash. Some popular venues for big events include SP College ground, Fergusson College ground, and SSPMS ground. Apart from these venues, there are places that are locally popular in different areas, like Jeet ground and Sadhana College in Hadapsar.
The premises of municipal schools are also given on rent for political events. "We mostly avoid giving ground for political events. But there are some exceptions.
The call is taken by the management council," SK Jain, the chairman of SP Mandali that controls the management of SP College, said. "Auditoriums like Balgandharva are booked months in advance. So, its availability for rallies is unlikely.
Auditoriums like Yashwantrao Chavan have been partly occupied for election-related works. The same is the case for the majority of the auditoriums, which PMC operates," PMC's deputy commissioner (cultural) Sunil Ballal said. BJP spokesperson Sandeep Khardekar sa.