The political temperature in Vasai-Virar has begun to soar as parties shift into full campaign mode for the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections. With rallies, closed-door meetings and worker conventions gathering pace, sharp political attacks have also taken centre stage.

At a BJP Karyakarta Samvad Melava held at YMCA Hall in Manikpur, Vasai West, senior party leaders rallied workers and sent out a strong message to rivals. The meeting was attended by BJP Maharashtra president Ravindra Chavan, Vasai-Virar election in-charge Poonam Mahajan, MP Hemant Savara, MLAs Sneha Dubey-Pandit and Rajan Naik, along with district president Pragya Patil.

Addressing party workers, Poonam Mahajan launched a direct offensive against Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) leader Hitendra Thakur and questioned the long-standing dominance of one political family in the region. Referring to the previous civic body, Mahajan said the BVA may have had 106 corporators earlier, but asserted that the BJP is now aiming higher — targeting a clear majority along with the mayor’s post.

“Workers may feel upset before elections, but once voting time comes, they forget everything and fight together. Every election is decided by the worker, not by fear or pressure,” Mahajan told the gathering, urging booth-level teams to take charge. She highlighted that Vasai-Virar has over 900 booths and called booth heads the real strength of the BJP’s campaign.

In a sharp symbolic attack, Mahajan said that the era of family-centric politics is nearing its end. “For years, one family has controlled this region. But when people start thinking about development, they see the Lotus ahead. When the Lotus is visible, who will bother blowing a whistle?” she remarked, taking a dig at the BVA’s election symbol.

She further added that development and prosperity do not arrive through hollow noise. “Lakshmi of development does not come sitting on a whistle. She comes riding the Lotus of progress,” Mahajan said, drawing loud applause from party workers.