In a bold political move that counters the prevailing narrative of favouring turncoats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Akola has chosen an ordinary citizen from a humble background to contest the upcoming municipal elections. The party has fielded Mangesh Zhine, an electricity bill distributor and daily-wage earner, from Ward No. 20, a Scheduled Caste–reserved seat for the Akola Municipal Corporation.
From Obscurity to Candidate: The Zhine Family's Struggle
Until December 30, Mangesh Zhine was largely unknown outside his Khadki neighbourhood. His life transformed overnight when the BJP announced his candidature for the fiercely contested civic poll. Zhine hails from a modest background: his mother works as a domestic help, and his father is a night watchman. The family resides in a single-room rented house and faces a constant struggle to make ends meet.
This decision by the BJP leadership has come at the cost of sidelining a seasoned local leader. The party preferred Zhine over four-time corporator and veteran Vijay Ingale. The snub led Ingale to rebel and join the Shiv Sena (UBT), turning this ward into a significant prestige battle between the two major political factions.
A Campaign Fueled by Community, Not Cash
In stark contrast to the typical resource-heavy Indian election campaign, Mangesh Zhine is contesting with minimal financial means. His campaign lacks hoardings, dedicated vehicles, or lavish publicity materials. Instead, his run for office is being sustained through the collective effort of fellow BJP candidates, local party workers, and supporters who are pooling funds to support his grassroots campaign.
Party insiders suggest this selection is being projected as a conscious attempt to revive the BJP's original narrative of empowering the marginalised. It is seen as an effort to open political space for individuals from the social and economic fringes, shifting focus back to the party's core ideological promises.
Symbol of Hope or a Calculated Gamble?
For many residents in Akola, Zhine's candidature represents a beacon of hope, reinforcing the belief that politics can still create opportunities for ordinary citizens with no political lineage or wealth. His journey from delivering electricity bills to delivering a potential political upset has captured public imagination.
However, critics view the move with skepticism. They question whether emotional appeal is being leveraged to gloss over internal party rifts and discontent caused by the ticket distribution process. The electoral outcome will be a litmus test for this strategy.
As Akola heads to the polls, all eyes are fixed on Ward No. 20. The question remains: Will a youth who spent years as a bill distributor now deliver a stunning political victory? Or will the experience and political machinery of his rivals prevail? The answer will be revealed on January 16, when the votes are counted. Regardless of the result, Mangesh Zhine's remarkable journey from a daily-wage livelihood to the electoral arena has already inscribed a compelling chapter in Akola's political history.
