Kolhapur is witnessing a tense political scenario as the deadline for filing nomination papers for the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections draws near. With only two days remaining, most major political alliances have yet to finalize and announce their official lists of candidates, creating significant anxiety among hopeful contenders.
Last-Minute Scramble for Nominations
The critical deadline for submitting nomination papers is December 30. This will be followed by scrutiny on December 31, while the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is January 2. The final list of candidates and the distribution of symbols is scheduled for January 3, with the voting for all 81 seats set to take place on January 15.
Despite a high level of interest, indicated by the sale of 1,816 nomination forms, only a mere 20 forms have been filled and submitted so far. Political observers expect a massive last-minute rush, with a large number of candidates likely to file their papers on Monday and Tuesday, just before the deadline expires.
Alliances and Their Preparedness
As of now, the political field shows a clear divide in readiness. The Congress party has announced 48 candidates. Furthermore, a third-front coalition called the Rajarshi Shahu Aghadi, which includes the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, Aam Aadmi Party, and the NCP (SP), has declared its list of 21 nominees. This alliance has stated it will jointly contest all 81 seats of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation.
Other major players are lagging behind. The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Shiv Sena and BJP, is experiencing delays due to reported internal clashes over seat-sharing arrangements. The NCP is expected to remain part of the Mahayuti and has been allocated 14 seats. Meanwhile, the MahaVikas Aghadi (MVA), consisting of Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), is also finalizing its list. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is poised to announce its seven candidates, while Congress is preparing to release a second list of 26 nominees on Sunday night.
Aspirants in a State of Uncertainty
The delay is causing palpable stress among those waiting for official tickets. Satish Kulkarni, an aspirant from Ward 8, voiced a common sentiment, stating he is awaiting his name in the Mahayuti list. He has already procured his nomination form and has a contingency plan: "If my name is not announced, I will contest the election as an independent candidate by filing the nomination on Tuesday, the last date."
This uncertainty is widespread, with many potential candidates holding back their papers until their party affiliations are confirmed. The coming 48 hours are set to be a period of intense political activity, negotiations, and final decisions that will shape the electoral battlefield for the Kolhapur civic polls.
