The scrutiny process for the upcoming Nashik Municipal Corporation elections, scheduled for January 15, unfolded with significant political drama on Wednesday. The examination of a total of 2,357 nomination papers filed for the 122 seats across 31 wards yielded major surprises, setting the stage for a highly competitive poll.
Major Setback for BJP as Nomination Rejected
The most striking development was the invalidation of the nomination paper filed by BJP candidate Mukesh Shahane from the Cidco division. This unexpected rejection has delivered a sharp blow to the party's electoral strategy in the region. The incident has also amplified internal tensions within the local BJP unit, which was reportedly grappling with confusion due to multiple A and B forms being submitted across various wards.
The scrutiny, conducted at designated divisional offices, revealed a considerable number of invalid nominations citywide. This trend indicates a fiercely contested election with a notable surge of independent candidates and the likelihood of several triangular and multi-cornered fights.
Ward-wise Breakdown of Scrutiny Results
A detailed look at the numbers shows the scale of rejections. In the Cidco division, which comprises six wards, 510 nominations were filed. Officials found 433 valid and rejected 77. Similarly, in the Nashik Road division, 373 out of 456 nominations were declared valid, with the rest being invalidated.
Other wards also witnessed significant scrutiny action. In Wards 7, 12, and 24 combined, scrutiny of 198 papers resulted in 193 valid nominations for 132 candidates, with four candidates' papers being rejected. In Wards 13, 14, and 15, a total of 268 nominations were received, of which 211 were upheld and 57 were invalidated.
Clear Electoral Battlegrounds Emerge
Post-scrutiny, clear contest scenarios have crystallized in several key wards, promising intense electoral battles:
In Ward 7(A), a triangular contest is shaping up between BJP's Suresh Patil, Shiv Sena's Rajendra Suryawanshi, and MNS's Satyam Khandale. They will face competition from eight independents, including Ajinkya Pharande, the son of MLA Devyani Pharande.
Ward 7(B) is poised for a direct fight between BJP's Himgauri Aher and Shiv Sena's Rohini Shirsat. Adding intrigue, former BJP corporator Varsha Bhalerao, who was denied a party ticket, will contest as an independent candidate.
A multi-cornered fight is anticipated in Ward 7(C), featuring BJP's Swati Bhamre, Bhagyashri Korde of MNS, Yogita Patil of NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena's Vandana Rakibe.
Meanwhile, Ward 7(D) will see a triangular contest between Shiv Sena's deputy leader Ajay Boraste, BJP's Yogesh Hire, and Naresh Deore of Shiv Sena (UBT).
Next Steps in the Electoral Process
The political landscape remains fluid until the withdrawal of nominations. The last date for candidates to withdraw their nominations is January 2. Following this, the final and definitive list of contesting candidates will be officially published on January 3. The fate of the candidates will be decided by voters on January 15, with the vote counting scheduled to take place on January 16.
