In a significant shift from union activism to electoral politics, former cab aggregator and prominent drivers' union leader Deepak Sane has officially announced his candidacy for the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections. He will contest from Prabhag 11A on a ticket from the Jan Badlao Party.
From Cab Driver to Candidate: A Grassroots Challenge
Deepak Sane's entry intensifies an already crowded electoral battle in the ward, which is reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates. He joins a field of at least 11 candidates, including political heavyweights like former corporator Rajesh Mate of the NCP and Vivek Nikose, the husband of former corporator Neha Nikose. Sane told TOI that his plunge into politics is driven by years of frustration as a common working citizen.
"I drive a cab for a living. We have raised countless demands, but no one listens. There is no justice for the common man. Bureaucrats are disconnected from ground realities and people's needs," Sane stated, positioning himself as a candidate of grassroots agitation rather than political lineage.
Education and Accountability at the Core of Agenda
Sane has placed the revival of public education at the heart of his campaign agenda. He highlighted the sorry state of government schools in his Prabhag, pointing out that several have remained shut for years. "Government schools are closing, while private schools have benefitted. Education from Classes 1 to 10 must be accessible and functional through government institutions," he asserted.
He also launched a sharp critique of previous representatives, alleging a lack of accountability. Sane claimed the last Congress corporator from the area was ‘only a namesake,’ with real power exercised by her husband—who is now a candidate himself. "There has been zero accountability. People here are angry, and anti-incumbency is real," he said.
A Campaign Powered by Public Donations
Distancing himself from traditional, fund-heavy politics, Sane declared that his campaign would be fueled by small public donations under the slogan "Ek Vote, Badlav Ka." He promised complete transparency, stating that all collected funds would be directly used to revive defunct government schools and strengthen public hospitals in his ward.
"If I win, my first task will be to mobilise resources and take the public along to launch a mega revival drive for government institutions," he asserted, outlining his immediate plan of action. His campaign directly addresses local issues like neglected schools and the proliferation of garbage dumping grounds, framing the election as a battle for functional civic amenities and responsive governance.
