Overview
- NCP leader Shashikant (Shashi) Tingre registered a lucky draw offering one-guntha plots to 11 women in Lohegaon–Dhanori, calling it social empowerment rather than inducement.
- Aspirants are hosting large events and draws featuring SUVs, two-wheelers and Rs 1 lakh prizes, alongside free concerts and cricket tournaments that draw thousands of participants.
- Campaign offers now include five-day Thailand tours for couples, free pilgrimage trips promoted by BJP candidate Kiran Dagade Patil, and giveaways such as bicycles, sewing machines and Paithani sarees.
- Indian Express reports further escalations like free movie tickets and a 'Home Minister' event awarding appliances including scooters, washing machines and televisions to women participants.
- Analysts warn of transactional politics, a senior BJP leader urges limits, and NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule asks the Election Commission to curb freebies; PMC and other civic polls are on January 15 with counting on January 16.