Maharashtra polls: Citizens hooked to videos of politicians’ speeches, centre of all conversations

PUNE: A grocer of Kumbharvalan village in Purandar sits in his store hooked to his cellphone. He is watching the video of a politician's speech in his assembly constituency and fails to notice his waiting customers leave in exasperation. The sound of the video echoes all around, but he could not care less as he sits engrossed in what the politician has to promise.
Along the Saswad-Kondhwa road, not too far from the grocer's village, a young man sits for lunch with his relatives at a restaurant. He chews his food quietly, but the enjoyment on his face is more from the video of a politician's speech on his phone than the delicacy he is eating. He watches riveted, not bothered that all other customers are being disturbed with the loud audio.
In the very same restaurant, a family awaits their food and a woman from among them is keenly reading a vernacular newspaper. She is keeping herself updated with all political activities taking place in the state. She flips pages carefully till food is served.
With just a few days to go for Maharashtra assembly poll on Nov 20, election fever has gripped citizens. The ongoing political hysteria in the form of campaigns, rallies and speeches has taken centre stage and people are hooked to watching videos or indulging in heated formal and informal discussions. They are keeping the momentum set by political parties going.
At MG Road, betel shopowner Kamlesh Ghate is so busy watching a senior politician's speech that he is oblivious to people gathered in front of his shop. He suddenly realises their presence and gets back to business, though half-heartedly. "It is important to know what politicians' views and promises are. I can't attend their public meetings since I have work. However, we must know about their promises and views before setting foot into the polling booths to vote," Ghate told TOI.
At an upscale pastry shop on NIBM Road, a group of senior citizens are busy enjoying their favourite desserts. However, unlike other days, their discussions are all about problems in their areas and why one should or should not vote. Meanwhile, the women gathered are furious with "the nuisance and noise being caused by autorickshaws campaigning for different candidates with loudspeakers".
At a tea stall in Lohegaon, several people are sipping cutting chai while glued to their phones. They are all watching Reels, Shorts and WhatsApp forwards. Here, too, discussions centre around politics, parties and problems. "Our area doesn't have proper water supply or roads for years," said one of them, leading to everyone pitching in with their opinions about the state of affairs in their areas.
In Yerawada, again at a tea stall, two people watch a video wherein a candidate is seen doing house-to-house campaigns. "Why is the background music indicative that he is doing a favour to the people by visiting their homes?" one of them asks, as they both laugh. The duo talks about the many phone calls and automated recorded messages of different contestants that they deal with every day. "Once the elections are over, very few will be seen doing actual work. We are enjoying till it lasts," they sign off.