Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections have kicked off with massive participation. A total of 953 candidates are competing fiercely for 151 seats across the city. While many wards see routine electoral contests, several prabhags have transformed into high-stakes battlegrounds. These key areas feature clashes between political veterans, internal party rebellions, family feuds, and shifting loyalties. Political observers are watching these contests closely because they could dramatically influence the final party arithmetic.
Prestige Fights Define Key Prabhags
Several prabhags stand out due to their unique and intense electoral dynamics. These areas have become focal points for political parties and voters alike.
Prabhag 27: Three-Way Clash of Experience
Prabhag 27 presents one of the most intriguing contests. Two seasoned Congress leaders now face each other from different platforms. Former Congress corporator Tanaji Wanve, who recently joined the NCP (Ajit), is challenging ex-Congress corporator Prashant Dhawad. The BJP has added a third dimension by fielding Pravin Girhe, a fresh face but well-known local figure. This clash combines experience, rebellion, and local familiarity, making it a prestige battle for all three parties.
Prabhag 15: Contrast of Styles in West Nagpur
West Nagpur's Prabhag 15 has turned into a keenly-watched contest. Congress has fielded former Indian Air Force officer Sandesh Singalkar against the BJP's seasoned leader and ex-corporator Sunil Hiranwar. Hiranwar is known for his simple and approachable image. His challenger banks on discipline, clean credentials, and first-time voter appeal. This creates a classic contrast-driven battle that has captured public attention.
Prabhag 30: Testing Personal Hold Versus Party Might
In prabhag 30, Congress's Sanjay Mahakalkar, a two-time corporator, takes on BJP's Chandan Agre. Mahakalkar's political strength is notable. In the last elections, he achieved a unique feat by being the only Congress candidate to win in a prabhag dominated by the BJP, which secured the remaining three seats. This contest now serves as a crucial test of Mahakalkar's personal hold versus the BJP's organisational might.
Family Feuds and Rebel Alliances
Beyond conventional party battles, personal rivalries and unexpected alliances are reshaping the electoral landscape.
Prabhag 26: Brothers Locked in Electoral Feud
A rare family feud has taken centre stage in prabhag 26. Brothers Dharmpal Meshram and Yashwant Meshram are locked in a direct electoral contest. This split has opened opportunities for Congress candidate Shubham Motghare, who could gain from division of votes. The prabhag falls under BJP MLA Krishna Khopde's constituency and has traditionally favoured the BJP due to strong grassroots work over two decades. However, rebels and the sibling rivalry have disrupted the party's electoral calculations this time.
Prabhag 31: Rebels Form Joint Panel
Defying conventional party lines, rebels from both the BJP and Congress came together to form a joint panel. They are contesting all four seats in prabhag 31. BJP rebels Sachin Kamble and Sonali Ghodmare aligned with senior Congress leaders, including former standing committee chairman Vijay Babre and grassroots organiser Pooja Manmode, under the banner of Parivartan Panel. The group campaigns as a single, coordinated unit. They move ward to ward together, pool workers, share campaign expenses, and jointly address voters. This projects unity in rebellion and positions them as a collective alternative to party-backed candidates.
Internal Tensions and Unusual Campaigns
Internal party dynamics and unconventional campaign strategies are adding further complexity to the elections.
Prabhag 17: Parallel High-Profile Battles
Prabhag 17 has thrown up two parallel high-profile battles. BJP leader Vinayak Dehankar, husband of former Mayor Archana Dehankar, is locked in a tough contest against the BJP's official candidate Pramod Chikhale. This highlights internal party tensions. In another seat within the same prabhag, former Congress corporator Manoj Sable, now with the BJP, faces Congress's Yogesh Tiwari. Tiwari's shift from prabhag 16 due to reservation reshaped equations here, leading to Sable losing Congress ticket and switching sides.
Prabhag 14: Rebellion Weakens Traditional Hold
Prabhag 14 has heated up after six-time corporator Sunil Agrawal rebelled against the BJP and entered the fray against the BJP's official woman candidate and former corporator Pragati Patil. With the BJP traditionally dominating this prabhag, the rebellion weakened its hold. This brightened the prospects of Congress's fresh face Abhijeet Jha, who is emerging as a serious contender amid the split in votes.
Prabhag 28: Sena Bastion Faces Unusual Spectacle
Long regarded as the safest bastion of Shiv Sena (UBT), prabhag 28 has thrown up an unusual spectacle. While the party's official candidate Mangala Gaware remains in the fray, Sena rebel Nitin Tiwari has virtually stitched himself into a joint campaign. They move together, distribute common pamphlets, and appeal to voters as a panel. This effectively sidelines the party's official nominee and former deputy mayor Kishore Kumeriya. The rare optics of rivals sharing campaign space blurred party distinctions and injected fresh uncertainty into what was once considered a sure-shot Sena seat.
Other Key Contests
Several other prabhags are witnessing closely fought battles that could sway the overall results.
Prabhag 23D: Grassroots Support Decides
In prabhag 23D, the contest between Narendra Borkar and Duneshwar Pethe has become a prestige fight driven by strong local influence and organisational backing. Both candidates enjoy significant grassroots support, making the outcome uncertain and politically significant for their respective parties.
Prabhag 1: Straight Fight with Local Focus
Virendra Kukreja versus Suresh Jagyasi turned prabhag 1 into a straight fight marked by intense campaigning and localised issues. With both candidates commanding loyal voter bases, the prabhag is witnessing one of the closest contests in the city.
As Nagpur voters prepare to cast their ballots, these multifaceted contests highlight how municipal elections often transcend simple party politics. Personal equations, local issues, and individual candidate strengths are playing decisive roles in shaping the electoral narrative across the city.
