India, Dec. 25 -- Citizens' forums across Pune have stepped up pressure on political parties ahead of the forthcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, using manifestos and coordinated social media campaigns to push core civic issues into the spotlight. Resident groups, resident welfare associations and civil society collectives have released citizens' charters focusing on pothole-free roads, water supply, public transport, pollution control, transparency and accountable governance.

These demands are being amplified through hashtags, online and offline town halls and public scorecards tracking the past performance of corporators. With civic polls approaching after a prolonged delay, sustained digital and on-ground mobilisation ...