BJP Secures Historic Majority in Nanded-Waghala Municipal Corporation
BJP has achieved a significant political victory in the Nanded-Waghala City Municipal Corporation. The party won 45 out of 81 seats in the elections declared on January 16. This result marks the first time BJP has crossed the majority mark since the corporation's formation on March 27, 1997.
End of Congress Dominance
The win effectively ends nearly three decades of Congress control over the civic body. Nanded has long been considered a Congress stronghold, closely tied to the political legacy of the Chavan family. In the 2017 civic elections, Congress secured 73 corporator seats while BJP managed only six.
The latest mandate completely reverses that political equation. Congress has been reduced to single-digit representation in the corporation, representing a major setback for the party.
Ashok Chavan's Strategic Leadership
Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Chavan played a crucial role in steering his party to this victory. Senior BJP politicians attribute the win to Chavan's ground-level engagement and strategic planning. He remained personally involved throughout the campaign, holding frequent meetings with local functionaries.
Chavan told TOI that development remains the central focus of his politics. "Some people from rival political parties made personal comments and abused me on public platforms," he said. "Development is the main issue on which the people of Nanded have voted. When I was in Congress, my priority was development works, and the same continues today."
The BJP leader noted that the party had set an internal target of winning 50 seats. "We got 45 seats, which is a massive jump from just six seats in the previous municipal body," Chavan added.
Organizational Strengthening
After Chavan switched to BJP from Congress, 45 sitting corporators joined his new party. Of these, 40 contested again in the latest elections and 32 emerged victorious. This gave BJP an experienced organizational base in the city.
Party sources highlighted Chavan's focus on booth-level coordination and ward-wise micro-management. These efforts helped consolidate votes in a city where the saffron party has struggled for decades.
Changing Political Landscape
The election results indicate shifting voter preferences in the region. AIMIM has emerged as the second-largest party in the corporation, particularly gaining ground in minority-dominated areas.
Political observers note the verdict carries significance beyond municipal politics. "Nanded has had a strong symbolic value as the power base of the Chavan family for decades," said a senior Marathwada-based political analyst. "BJP's majority here reflects deeper organizational penetration rather than a routine civic win."
Focus on Civic Issues
According to BJP politicians, the campaign concentrated on practical civic concerns. These included water supply problems, poor road conditions, sanitation issues, and alleged corruption in the outgoing administration.
With a clear majority now secured, BJP is set to claim the mayor's post and key standing committees. This paves the way for full control of the corporation and implementation of the party's development agenda.
The victory follows BJP's underwhelming performance in the Marathwada region during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Many see this municipal win as a reassertion of Chavan's political influence after years of turbulence that began with the Adarsh Housing scam.
