Amravati Municipal Corporation Elections Witness Intense Multi-Cornered Contest
The Amravati Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections are currently unfolding as a high-voltage political battle. Multiple alliances have entered the fray, creating a complex electoral landscape. The contest features the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a Congress-led front, and the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance. Additionally, the Shiv Sena–Prahaar alliance is competing, along with an alliance of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) with the Communist Party. The Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA)–United Forum combine also forms part of this crowded field.
Early Leads Show BJP Ahead in Several Wards
In the Amravati Municipal Corporation, which comprises 87 electoral wards, early trends indicate the BJP is leading in 13 wards. The NCP is showing strength in seven wards, while Congress holds leads in five wards. The Yuva Swabhiman Party, led by MLA Ravi Rana, is currently ahead in two seats. These early numbers suggest a competitive race with no single party dominating completely.
Looking Back at the 2017 AMC Election Results
The last AMC elections, held in 2017, saw the BJP emerge as the single largest party. They won 45 of the 87 seats, firmly establishing their dominance in the civic body. The BJP secured at least one seat in almost every prabhag across the city, barring Muslim-dominated pockets. This widespread performance highlighted their strong organizational reach.
The party achieved a clean sweep in several key areas. They won all four seats in Shegaon, Mahendra Colony–New Cotton Market, and Gadgadeshwar prabhags. This demonstrated their ability to consolidate votes across diverse neighborhoods.
Notable Performances and Surprises from 2017
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) delivered a striking performance in 2017. They won 10 seats, including all four seats in the Chhayanagar–Gawalipura prabhag. This result dealt a severe blow to the Congress, which traditionally held influence in these areas.
Congress was reduced to just 15 seats in that election. The NCP failed to win a single seat and was completely wiped out from the corporation. The BJP wave swept aside several political heavyweights, including sitting Congress mayor Rina Nanda and senior party leader Avinash Mardikar.
Internal Challenges and Historic Moments
Even the BJP faced internal challenges during the 2017 polls. Their own opposition leader, Sanjay Agrawal, suffered a defeat. He lost by 849 votes to a strong independent candidate, Dinesh Boob, from the Jawahar Stadium prabhag. In contrast, all other BJP candidates in that prabhag recorded impressive victories.
A historic moment occurred when Rita Sunil Padole was elected unopposed. This marked the first time such an event happened in the history of the Amravati Municipal Corporation. The BJP surge spared neither allies nor rivals, as the Shiv Sena managed to win only seven seats in the 2017 civic polls.
The current elections build upon this complex historical backdrop. Voters are now watching closely as new alliances form and old rivalries play out. The final results will reveal whether the BJP can maintain its dominance or if opposition forces have successfully regrouped.
