Citizen candidates across the city are proving that innovation and creativity can go a long way to make up for lack of funds.
Without the kind of money that political parties have access to, these candidates are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to woo voters and have a range of interesting ideas for the campaigns, beginning next week.
Excerpt from Hindustan Times Mumbai, reported by Bhavika Jain on January 17, 2012: Read Full Article
Dr Neelam Rane as their citizen candidate for the BMC elections slated for February, 2012
Dr Neelam Rane, a citizen candidate from ward number 149 in Chembur will use the symbol of the common man to strike a chord with voters. She has designed a caricature that dons a Gandhi cap like Anna Hazare and a jacket similar to cartoonist RK Laxman’s iconic common man. “This will be our mascot. We will show this common man facing various situations and how he is treated,” said Dr Sandeep Rane, Neelam’s husband, who is helping her in the campaign. Sandeep said that they are not going to put up banners, as they deface the city, and are going to use standees, with posters, instead, which can be dismantled after the campaign.
Jingles and catchy slogans are other means by which citizen candidates hope to attract people. Sherlet Singh, contesting from ward number 64 in Juhu said that her campaign tagline would be: ‘Mumbai’s worth voting for.’ Singh will also distribute stickers and leaflets. “People must understand that though the corporator is on the lowest rung of the political system, his or her working affects us the most.”
