The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court is witnessing a surge of electoral fervor as the deadline for filing nominations for the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) elections concluded this Wednesday. This sets the stage for a fiercely competitive multi-cornered contest for the association's key leadership positions.
Key Posts Attract Multiple Candidates
The race for the top post is particularly crowded, with four advocates—Abhay Sambare, VH Bhamburkar, Mohan Gawai, and M Anil Kumar—filing their nominations for the president's chair. For the crucial secretary's position, a direct contest is shaping up between two candidates: Shrirang Bhongade and Kunal Nalamwar.
According to election committee chief Bhanudas Kulkarni, all submitted nominations have been found valid. However, he indicated that the final electoral landscape will only become clear after the withdrawal deadline this Friday. "The real picture will emerge after the withdrawal deadline on Friday," Kulkarni stated, adding that campaigning is expected to intensify significantly thereafter.
New Rules Reshape the Electoral Battlefield
This year's HCBA polls carry added significance due to the implementation of the 'One Bar One Vote' rule, a change anticipated to influence voter dynamics. Furthermore, the provision for women's reservation has fundamentally reshaped the contest.
Specific posts have been reserved for women members, including one vice-president seat, the treasurer's position, and three seats on the executive committee. This has led to dedicated contests in these categories.
- Three candidates are in the fray for the reserved vice-president seat.
- Another three have filed nominations for the treasurer's post.
- The open (unreserved) vice-president post has also attracted three nominations.
Widespread Competition Across All Levels
The electoral excitement extends beyond the top posts, with keen competition for every available position. For the post of librarian, four candidates have thrown their hats in the ring. The contest for executive committee members is especially intense, with 16 candidates competing for the open seats and eight women candidates vying for the three reserved seats.
This internal election within the legal fraternity contributes to a charged atmosphere in Nagpur, coinciding with the broader political buzz generated by upcoming local body elections across Maharashtra. The final candidate lineup, post-withdrawals, will set the stage for a spirited campaign period leading up to the voting day.
The HCBA Nagpur elections are a key event for the local legal community, determining the leadership that will represent the bar's interests and manage its affairs for the coming term.
