The stage is now definitively set for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections, with a final list of 992 candidates ready to contest for 151 seats. This follows the closure of the withdrawal window on Friday, which saw a significant reshaping of the electoral battlefield as 302 candidates stepped back from the race.
A Streamlined Contest Emerges
The civic polls, being held after a gap of nearly eight years, had initially generated massive interest. A total of 1,386 nomination forms were filed for the seats spread across 38 prabhags. After scrutiny rejected 80 forms, 1,294 nominations were deemed valid. The final withdrawal process, where 290 candidates pulled out on the last day alone (adding to 12 earlier), brought the final contestant count down to 992.
This pruning is expected to lead to more direct contests in many wards. With a reduced number of Independents remaining, political observers note that vote-splitting may decrease, potentially benefiting established party candidates. However, the pressure to campaign effectively within a shortened timeframe remains intense for all.
Zone-Wise Withdrawals and Candidate Profile
The withdrawal of candidates was not uniform across Nagpur's ten zones. The Lakadganj zone recorded the highest number of withdrawals at 43, followed by Mangalwari (37) and Satranjipura (35). Other zones saw withdrawals in the following order:
- Dhantoli and Nehru Nagar: 33 each
- Gandhibagh-Mahal: 30
- Hanuman Nagar: 28
- Ashi Nagar: 27
- Dharampeth: 24
- Laxmi Nagar: 12
Of the 1,294 valid nominations, 535 were filed by women candidates. Among the 80 rejected applications, 39 belonged to women. Election officials confirmed that no official candidates from the BJP or Congress were disqualified during scrutiny. The candidate distribution varies widely, with Zone 9 having the highest number of contestants (180, including 92 women) and Zone 1 having the lowest (75, including 34 women).
Political Undertones and the Rebel Factor
These elections carry significant political weight, marked notably by internal dissent, especially within the BJP. The party, which dominated the NMC for three consecutive terms (2007, 2012, 2017), is now facing challenges from rebels who refused to withdraw.
Key rebels include senior BJP leader and six-time corporator Sunil Agrawal, who is contesting despite party directives. Dhiraj Chavan, considered close to Central Nagpur MLA Pravin Datke, is running against the BJP's official nominee. Former corporator Sudhir Raut is in the fray from Prabhag 18A, and former mayor Archana Dehankar's husband, Vinayak Dehankar, is contesting as an Independent from Prabhag 17D. This rebellion has sparked speculation that these candidates may cut into the BJP's traditional vote share, possibly aiding rival parties.
Compared to previous elections, the current scenario is both numerically competitive and politically complex. The 2017 polls had 1,135 candidates, while 2012 saw 1,233 candidates for 145 seats. With nominations finalized, all political parties have now intensified their ground campaigns, knowing that in a tight race, every single vote will be crucial. The real battle for Nagpur's civic future has decisively moved from the nomination office to the streets.
