The Congress, the BJP and the MNS have not officially announced their candidates for the Pune Lok Sabha seat. Cashing in on the delay is the the candidate of the BSP is trying to make a mark in the city; so is an Independent candidate, Arun Bhatia. Both are already campaigning full steam ahead.

Builder-turned-politician and BSP candidate D S Kulkarni is among the first to have started reaching out to voters. He is giving an extra push to rope in young voters who form a good chunk of the voters in the city, mainly because it is an education hub.

“I am not seeking votes on basis of caste. My plank is development of the city. In these times of economic crisis, the youth are hit the hardest,” Kulkarni said, adding that there was a need to stand by the youth during the difficult times and show them the right direction.

The young mass will be told how to tide over the crisis, he said adding that since unemployment will make things miserable for youngsters, entrepreneurship should be encouraged. He cited his own example.

“If young people are given proper guidance, their future will be safe,” said Kulkarni who plans to visit colleges to interact with students to urge them to vote for him.

Another would-be-MP who has started his campaign in earnest is bureaucrat-turned-politician Bhatia, who has launched the People’s Guardian Party.

Bhatia has been busy gathering volunteers for his campaign. He urges them to help him hold talks at institutions by getting permission through friends for giving his speeches in schools, colleges and social organisations.

Bhatia is also planning a door-to-door campaign and is ready to drop in at a phone call at any home to talk to at least 10 people.

Bhatia is imploring women to vote for a leader who can stand for their rights. “Women should be aware of their rights. They should put a stop to their abuse at any place and team up to raise their issues,” he said.

From fighting for drinking water to ensuring proper education of children, women should get together and systematically plan their movement for good governance from the authorities, he said.