Nagpur: The lone Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) corporator in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Harshala Jaiswal, is facing the prospect of disqualification after allegedly defying the party whip and voting in favour of a Congress candidate during the election for the Ashi Nagar Zone chairperson's post. The petition seeking her disqualification under the Maharashtra Local Authority Members' Disqualification Act is scheduled for hearing before Nagpur divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari on June 17.
Background of the Case
The petition was filed by BSP's Nagpur district president Yogesh Lanjewar, who alleged that Jaiswal, elected from Prabhag 7, violated explicit party directions issued ahead of the April 17 election for zone sabhapati. According to BSP functionaries, the party had instructed its lone corporator to remain neutral during the election process. However, Jaiswal allegedly ignored the directive and cast her vote in favour of the Congress nominee.
Party's Disciplinary Action
Party sources said Jaiswal subsequently submitted a written apology admitting her mistake after realising disciplinary action was imminent. The BSP rejected the apology, terming her conduct contrary to the party's core principles and ideology. Following a show-cause notice, the BSP constituted an inquiry committee comprising senior party leaders Mohan Raikwar, Dadaravji Wuike, and retired bureaucrat Sanjay Thool. The committee reportedly recommended rejection of Jaiswal's explanation, prompting the state brass to authorise Lanjewar to initiate formal disqualification proceedings.
Legal Proceedings
The petition, drafted by Mumbai-based legal firm Law Chartered through advocates Vinod Tiwari and Shaunak Kothekar, was taken up for preliminary hearing on May 7. BSP functionaries claim the case could set a precedent, as no disqualification petition against an NMC corporator has been pursued to this stage in the civic body's history. The petition has also sought a direction barring Jaiswal from contesting elections for six years if she is disqualified and has requested that a fresh election be conducted for the seat.
Implications and Timeline
Under the law, a decision on such petitions is generally expected within 90 days. The outcome could have wider political implications, particularly given the increasingly competitive equations between opposition parties and smaller political outfits in Nagpur's local body politics.
