Girish Bapat’s campaign machine is well-oiled, runs smoothly - Hindustan Times
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Girish Bapat’s campaign machine is well-oiled, runs smoothly

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByDheeraj Bengrut
Apr 20, 2019 04:18 PM IST

The fight for election has been a sobering experience for Girish Bapat. However, a few hours on his campaign trail on Thursday a bigger picture emerges

In the five decades that he has been with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Pune’s guardian minister, Girish Bapat, who is also a veteran Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member, has served as the member of legislative assembly (MLA) five times and also completed three terms as a corporator. Besides his own established electoral might, all six MLAs from the city belong to his party. Bapat has been pitted against Mohan Joshi, who is the Congress candidate for Pune. On the face of it, Bapat seems to be braving it out even declaring his confidence in defeating Joshi. Here’s how Bapat has been campaigning on a typical day in Pune, which will go to polls on April 23.

After concluding a massive rally in Khadki, Bapat, proceeds to Rokadoba Mandir in Shivajinagar. After attending the programme, Bapat conducts review meetings with party workers.(Sanket Wankhade/HT PHOTO)
After concluding a massive rally in Khadki, Bapat, proceeds to Rokadoba Mandir in Shivajinagar. After attending the programme, Bapat conducts review meetings with party workers.(Sanket Wankhade/HT PHOTO)

All about team work

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The daily poll campaigning is managed by Mahesh Ladkat, BJP corporator and Arvind Bhosale, Shiv Sena leader. Both accompany Bapat in all his rallies. Also, a team of 25 youths from the BJP Yuva Morcha led by Puneet Joshi organise meetings and participate in Bapat’s rallies.

Maruti Dimble, who is Bapat’s driver for the past 20 years, says, “Bhau (Bapat) is always energetic and interacts with people from all sections of the society. Be it a tea stall owner, a senior citizen or an autorickshaw driver, Bapat greets everyone with a smile. He has a great sense of humour and is best when it comes to politics.”

7 am, Bapat’s residence, Narayan peth

Bapat begins his day by reading a newspaper. He scans the paper and reads about what is written about him and his party, apart from that he also looks at the news from other states and world news. Bapat, then, proceeds to check his social media and make important calls to party leaders and other associates.

9 am, On his way to Mukundnagar

After his morning dose of news, Bapat is ready to step out for his day-long meetings and campaigns. His plan for the day is to conduct rallies in Baner, Balewadi and Khadki. He commutes in a Mitsubishi Pajero and is accompanied by hundreds of BJP volunteers. The response from the crowd is overwhelming.

1 pm, Meetings with traders

Bapat met with traders and businessmen in Mukundnagar and is accompanied by Piyush Goyal, minister of railways.

Talking about what keeps him going throughout the day, Bapat says, “I get this energy from the people who are rooting for me. I have submitted myself to service of the people. I have been active in politics since 1974, and I am connected to each and every person in Pune. I have helped every person who comes to my office and asks for help.”

2.30 pm, On his way to Shivajinagar court

After his meetings in Mukundnagar, Bapat is on the move. He wastes no time, and checks the afternoon news on his tablet. He also keeps a check on what is happening in his office through a CCTV camera monitor that is installed in his car. At the court, he holds an hour-long meeting with various lawyers and members of the bar association.

Bapat also keeps a check on what is happening in his office through a CCTV camera monitor that is installed in his car (Sanket Wankhade/HT PHOTO)
Bapat also keeps a check on what is happening in his office through a CCTV camera monitor that is installed in his car (Sanket Wankhade/HT PHOTO)

4 pm, Breaks for lunch

Since Bapat is always on the go, lunch normally comes from home, which comprises dal (lentils) and rice or curd rice. However, today Bapat has gone back to his residence to have his lunch. During the day Bapat prefers having liquid items like fruit juices and buttermilk, which he sips while moving from one place to another.

During the day, Bapat makes sure he takes out time to relax. He says, “Walking through various localities throughout the day strains my leg. During my afternoon break, I make sure I take an acupuncture foot massage from a therapist.”

5 pm, Attending an award function

Bapat is now on his way to Modern College, Shivajinangar, where he will preside over the Guruwarya Shakarrao Kanitkar Purskar. Bapat gave a small speech at the award ceremony.

6.30 pm, Ready for road show

Post the ceremony, Bapat proceeds to Ganeshkhind road, Khadki and Aundh for a road show. He said, “When I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, he asked to focus on campaigning rather than focusing on him. I had gone there as per protocol.”

9.30 pm, Palkhi programme

After concluding a massive rally in Khadki, Bapat, now proceeds to Rakdoba Mandir in Shivajinagar to attend the annual Palkhi programme.

11.30 pm, Review meetings

Bapat says, “I end my day by going to the BJP office behind Shirole petrol pump, where we have a daily review meeting with all party workers and leaders. We take an overall review of the day’s campaign and discuss the plan for the next day. Usually the meetings take place post 11 pm.

1.30 am, end of the day

Bapat says, “Normally I go back home post midnight and sleep at 1.30 or 2 am and then, start my day early next morning.

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