Nagpur is witnessing a political storm on its streets as campaigning for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections enters its final, frenetic phase. With the last day for public outreach set for January 13, candidates and parties are pulling out all stops this Sunday, transforming the city into a high-decibel battleground of visibility and stamina ahead of the January 15 polls.
A Frenzy of Permissions and Last-Ditch Mobilisation
The scale of the final push is starkly visible in the numbers at the NMC's single-window permission system. A staggering 936 applications for rally permissions were submitted for the critical three-day window from January 11 to 13. Of these, 652 have been cleared while 284 requests remain pending, highlighting the administrative scramble to manage the political rush.
Certain zones have emerged as epicentres of this intense competition. Hanuman Nagar zone leads with 181 applications, followed closely by Lakadganj (164) and Dhantoli (146). This data underscores the densely contested prabhags where candidates are launching a last-ditch mobilisation blitz to sway voters.
The competition for public spaces is equally fierce. For public meetings or 'sabhas', 283 applications were filed during the same period, with 186 approved and 97 pending. Zones like Dharampeth, Gandhibagh, and Laxmi Nagar account for a significant share of the pending requests, indicating a fierce race against time to secure limited venues.
Parties Unleash Final Sunday Strategies
With 993 candidates in the fray for 151 seats, the strategies for the final Sunday are a mix of sheer strength, symbolism, and grassroots contact. The ruling BJP-Shiv Sena Mahayuti alliance is banking on a major show of force in Prabhag 1. A grand bike rally is scheduled to commence from Mukti Dham, Jaripatka, at 8:30 am to support its official candidates, aiming to project unity after a prolonged civic vacuum.
The Ajit Pawar-led NCP is countering with aggressive ground mobilisation. Veteran corporator Manoj Sangole emphasised the tactical advantage of motorcycle rallies, stating they are the fastest way to dominate neighbourhoods and keep political rivals on the defensive.
The Congress, meanwhile, is opting for a more symbolic approach. Senior leader Praful Gudadhe will lead a 4-kilometre padyatra in Prabhag 38 in support of his wife and party candidate, Kumudini Gudadhe. He indicated a calibrated campaign, saving their motorcycle rally for the absolute last day, January 13.
Beyond Rallies: Door-to-Door Push and a Test of Endurance
Not every candidate is relying on noisy processions. First-time contender Abhijeet Jha represents a different tactic, planning to spend nearly 16 hours on Sunday focused solely on door-to-door outreach. He believes the real conversations that sway votes happen when candidates meet voters in their homes, especially on a weekend when families are present.
This final Sunday has become a critical stress test for political organisations. Analysts note that while the first Sunday of campaigning was about announcing intent, this last one is purely about survival. It tests a party's ability to occupy physical and mental space, dominate public attention, and simply outlast rivals on the streets. The frenzy also highlights the tough fight facing former corporators, many of whom are confronting public discontent over unresolved civic issues and are being forced to campaign harder than ever before.
As an official privy to the permission process noted, most applications were concentrated for January 11 and the final day, January 13. The data below illustrates the zone-wise breakdown of the permission rush:
Rally Permission Snapshot (Jan 11-13)
Zones with Highest Applications: Hanuman Nagar (181), Lakadganj (164), Dhantoli (146).
Zones with Most Pending Requests: Hanuman Nagar (96), Mangalwari (46), Laxmi Nagar (46).
Public Meeting Permissions (Jan 11-13)
Zones with Highest Applications: Dhantoli (48), Lakadganj (44), Dharampeth (36).
Zones with Most Pending Requests: Dharampeth (25), Gandhibagh (17), Laxmi Nagar (13).
The outcome of this street-level battle of endurance and visibility will soon be revealed when Nagpur votes to elect its new civic body on January 15.
