The Congress party in Nagpur is entering the crucial Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections deeply wounded and fragmented, following a severe defeat in recent municipal council and nagar panchayat polls across the district. With the deadline for nomination form distribution ending on December 30, the party remains uncertain about its final list of candidates, publicly exposing its internal discord.
Ticket Distribution Sparks Open Rebellion
Instead of projecting a united front, the Congress has laid its internal battles bare for all to see. The flashpoint occurred during ticket interviews held at Devadiya Bhavan. Veteran former corporators, including Manoj Sangole, Purushottam Hajare, and Kamlesh Chaudhary, were reportedly stopped at the door, a strong indication that the party leadership plans to drop them from the final candidate list. This move has shocked grassroots workers and significantly widened the gap between the top leadership and ward-level organizers.
Manoj Sangole, a five-time corporator with a formidable influence over North Nagpur, is known for his ability to mobilize support for two to three corporators from his prabhag. Despite this clout, he finds himself sidelined. His political journey includes once challenging Congress MLA Nitin Raut as a BSP candidate before returning to the Congress fold. Now, he is being kept at a distance once again. Party insiders reveal Sangole has received no assurances from Congress, and even the BSP is currently unwilling to take him back. Politically isolated, he retains enough local strength to damage the Congress vote share.
Kamlesh Chaudhary, a three-time corporator from West Nagpur, is facing punishment for supporting independent candidate Narendra Jichkar against the city Congress chief, Vikas Thakre. Reports suggest he is now in discussions with BJP leaders and is ready to contest as an independent if the Congress ignores him. Purushottam Hajare, accused of repeated "anti-party" activities, also commands loyal voter bases in specific pockets.
Exodus and Historical Precedent of Rebellion
The rebellion within the party ranks extends beyond these three figures. Former Leader of Opposition Tanaji Wanve has already defected to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction. Darshani Dhawad has crossed over to the BJP. Other figures like Ramesh Punekar have a history of challenging official party candidates in the past.
A constant reminder of the party's vulnerability is Abha Pande's 2017 victory as an independent, demonstrating that the Congress machinery does not always control its voter base. In the last general body, the Congress held only 29 corporator seats, dwarfed by the BJP's 108. The BSP had 10, Shiv Sena 2, NCP 1, and others 1.
Strategic Paralysis and Looming Consequences
While the BJP campaigns aggressively to retain power, the Congress leadership is paralyzed, unable to decide whether to accommodate strong rebel voices or let them walk away. Each passing day deepens the internal divisions, compounding the party's troubles.
If independent candidates, supported by these disgruntled leaders, proliferate in key wards, the BJP's path to victory could become significantly easier. The Congress risks defeating itself in the NMC polls, the results of which will be declared on January 16. Political analysts warn that unless the party acts swiftly to reconcile internal factions and restore discipline, this election will be remembered not for a closely fought contest, but for how the Congress ceded political ground through confusion and indecision.
