The electoral battlefield for the 151-member Nagpur Municipal Corporation has crystallized, with 993 determined candidates now in the fray. This follows a significant last-minute shake-up where 302 aspirants withdrew their nominations, sharpening the focus on a contest that is growing increasingly tense, personal, and politically charged.
Prestige Battles Define Key Prabhags
Several electoral wards have transformed into direct, high-stakes duels where a loss could undermine entire political networks. In Prabhag 1D, a high-profile rematch is underway. BJP's Virendra ‘Vikky' Kukreja, who stormed into civic politics by defeating then-sitting corporator Suresh Jagyasi of the Congress in 2017, faces the veteran once more. Jagyasi's comeback bid has elevated the clash, with Kukreja enjoying backing from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Jagyasi drawing support from North Nagpur MLA and former guardian minister Nitin Raut. Political insiders view this as a fight for territorial dominance as much as for municipal governance.
Meanwhile, in Prabhag 15B, located under the West Nagpur assembly constituency of Congress city president and MLA Vikas Thakre, the BJP is fighting to defend a stronghold it dominated for years. Senior BJP corporator Sunil Hiranwar is engaged in a straight fight against Congress newcomer and former IAF officer Sandesh Singalkar. With no Independents or smaller parties contesting, this battle has become a pure test of prestige and organizational strength for both major camps.
Rebellion and Internal Strife Add to Drama
The contest in Prabhag 17D has taken an explosive turn. The BJP strategically fielded freshly inducted former Congress corporator Manoj Sable against Congress candidate and ex-corporator Guddu (Yogesh) Tiwari. However, the plot thickened when senior BJP worker Vinayak Dehankar, husband of former mayor Archana Dehankar, entered the race as an Independent after being denied the party ticket. Local BJP cadres express concern, noting that Dehankar was instrumental in building the party's base in this area, which falls within CM Fadnavis's own assembly segment. A split in the BJP vote here could prove costly.
In East Nagpur's Prabhag 23D, two political veterans are locking horns. BJP heavyweight Narendra ‘Balya' Borkar is pitted against NCP(SP) leader Duneshwar Pethe, with both having previously served as corporators. While Pethe remains rooted in his old ward, Borkar was shifted after his former seat was allocated to the women's reservation quota. This move has added extra pressure on Borkar to prove his influence and clout in a new area.
A Referendum on Political Influence
As campaigning reaches its peak, these key wards have become intense battlegrounds of loyalty, rebellion, and political survival. The outcomes here will resonate far beyond the municipal corporation's walls. They are poised to determine not only which party secures control of the civic body but also which political force will set the tone for Nagpur's political landscape in the crucial months leading up to larger state and national elections. The fierce competition, featuring 410 women and 583 men among the final contestants, underscores the high stakes involved for every political player in the region.
