Film, TV stars draw the crowds in Kalyan, Dombivli

Residents of Kalyan and Dombivli were in for a tamasha of sorts on Friday after political candidates came out on to the streets with film stars and television actors, trying to woo voters. Kiran Sonawane reports.

Residents of Kalyan and Dombivli were in for a tamasha of sorts on Friday after political candidates came out on to the streets with film stars and television actors, trying to woo voters.

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With Friday being the last day for campaigning before the Kalyan-Dombivli elections on October 31, candidates were seen frantically trying to create a power show in their respective wards.

What was interesting was the innovative tactics and mediums used by the many parties and candidates to make an impression on voters. Women actors campaigning for the various candidates were a compelling sight.

Suchita Karmarkar, a former Zee Marathi journalist, who is contesting the elections from Parnaka Ward No 22, hired a street play team, which went to every corner of the ward.

Karmarkar would address the crowd gathered to watch the play after each performance. People seemed to respond enthusiastically to the idea.

Kalyan-Dombivli Mahanagar Vikas Aghadi used a 'Gondhali' team to grab eyeballs. It managed to draw the crowds as people were seen coming out of their houses for a look at the artistes.

Devanand Gaikwad, who is contesting from W-57, invited Marathi film actress Varsha Usgaonkar, who managed to attract a very large mob. She even caused an hour-long traffic jam on Tisgaon Road.

Marathi actor Bharat Jadhav campaigned for the MNS, while actor Adesh Bandekar of Home Minister fame, campaigned for the Shiv Sena.

Actor Nagma and Iftekhar Khan also participated in the road show of the Congress-NCP alliance.