Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Casts Votes in Crucial Municipal Elections
Residents of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are heading to the polls on Thursday for the city's municipal corporation elections. This civic contest has been delayed for a long time, finally taking place after a gap of more than five and a half years. The election is drawing keen attention across Maharashtra and beyond.
Former Corporators Dominate the Fray
A striking feature of this election is the return of 96 former corporators to the political battlefield. These experienced politicians are making a strong comeback attempt, adding depth and intrigue to the race. Out of these 96 ex-corporators, five have chosen to field close relatives instead of contesting themselves. Eight former corporators are testing their luck as independent candidates, free from party constraints.
The remaining 83 former corporators are contesting on party tickets, aligning themselves with established political machines. This high number of returning faces makes the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar election one of the most closely watched civic contests in recent years. Political analysts are keeping a close eye on how these veterans perform.
Candidate Numbers and Election Details
A total of 859 candidates have entered the electoral fray. This includes 480 men and 379 women candidates, showing significant female participation. The election is being conducted under the prabhag system, which groups wards into clusters. The city has formed 29 ward clusters this time, covering 115 seats.
Interestingly, the number of candidates has declined compared to the 2015 elections. Back then, 952 candidates contested across 113 wards. Despite having more seats now, fewer candidates are vying for them. The cost of conducting these elections has more than doubled, rising from 4 crore rupees in 2015 to nearly 10 crore rupees this year.
Long Delay and Supreme Court Intervention
The last municipal elections in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar were held way back in 2015. The 2020 polls were deferred due to multiple factors, primarily the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. This delay placed the civic body under prolonged administrative rule, with appointed officials managing municipal affairs instead of elected representatives.
Following directions from the Supreme Court of India, the elections are finally being held. The counting of votes is scheduled for Friday, January 16. This judicial intervention has brought democracy back to the city's civic administration after years of waiting.
Political Dynamics and Party Strategies
The political landscape in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has become quite unpredictable. Party switches, denial of tickets, and pre-poll withdrawals have created a volatile situation. Several former corporators who recently moved from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction to the Eknath Shinde-led camp failed to secure tickets. Some candidates opted out entirely before polling day.
Looking at party-wise distribution, the Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded 37 former corporators, including three who nominated relatives. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena gave tickets to 19 former corporators and two relatives. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction fielded 18 former corporators, including three relatives.
The Indian National Congress has nominated seven former corporators. The Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party has nominated six, while the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) has three. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has two, and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has fielded five former corporators.
Focus Shifts to Mayoral Race
Even as voting continues, political attention is already shifting to the mayoral race. The city has had 22 mayors since the first municipal corporation election in 1988. This includes seven women mayors who have broken barriers in local governance. The 23rd mayor is expected to be elected in the third week of January.
However, uncertainty surrounds the mayor's post. The reservation draw for the position is yet to be announced, though it is expected before January 15. Whether the mayor's post will be open or reserved this term has become a key point of political speculation and behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
Historical Context of Mayoral Tenures
As per established norms, the mayor's tenure in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is two and a half years. However, in recent terms, political parties have opted for shorter tenures to accommodate more leaders from their ranks. This practice has created a rotating door of leadership at the top.
During the 2015–2020 term, the city saw three different mayors. The 2010–2015 term had two mayors, while the 2005–2010 term featured three mayors. This pattern shows how political considerations often override stability in local governance.
Sunanda Kolhe made history in 1995 by becoming the city's first woman mayor. Shantaram Kale holds the distinction of being the first mayor when the municipal corporation was established in 1988. Their legacies continue to inspire current candidates and voters alike.
The people of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are now exercising their democratic right after a long wait. Their votes will determine not just who represents them in the municipal corporation, but also who will lead the city as mayor in the coming years.
