Ahead of the crucial Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections, the mandatory asset declarations filed by candidates have unveiled a striking trend: several former corporators seeking a return to the civic body have registered a significant surge in their personal wealth. This development underscores how municipal contests in the city are increasingly being fought with deeper financial pockets, transforming the political landscape.
Sharp Rise in Assets of Key Contenders
An analysis of the affidavits reveals a pattern of substantial asset accumulation since the last civic polls in 2017. This financial growth coincides with a visible escalation in campaign spending across Nagpur, where publicity, voter outreach, and logistics have become more expensive and expansive.
Leading the pack is BJP leader Virendra Kukreja, whose declared assets have skyrocketed to nearly Rs 94.95 crore this year. This marks a steep jump from his declared wealth of Rs 16.76 crore in 2017, positioning him among the wealthiest candidates in the fray and highlighting the formidable financial resources now backing civic campaigns.
Other prominent BJP figures have also shown considerable growth. Former mayor Maya Ivante declared assets worth Rs 4.06 crore, up from Rs 2.9 crore eight years ago. Similarly, BJP veteran Narendra 'Balya' Borkar reported assets valued at Rs 5.17 crore, more than double the Rs 2.40 crore he declared in the previous polls.
Cross-Party Trend of Growing Financial Backing
The trend of enhanced wealth is not confined to a single party, indicating a broader shift in the financial dynamics of local elections. NCP leader Abha Pande, who won the last election as an independent but is now contesting on an NCP ticket, declared assets of Rs 3.68 crore, compared to Rs 3.34 crore in 2017.
On the Congress side, the affidavits tell a similar story. Congress candidate Bhutto Zulfikar Ahmad showed a significant rise, with assets now at Rs 1.09 crore versus just Rs 21 lakh in 2017. Furthermore, Congress leader Bhavna Lonare recorded one of the sharpest increases, with declared assets rising to Rs 1.37 crore from Rs 21.20 lakh eight years ago, exemplifying how political re-entry often coincides with enhanced personal wealth.
BJP leader Dharmpal Meshram, who also serves as the deputy chairperson of the State Scheduled Caste Commission, reported an increase in assets to Rs 4.65 crore from Rs 3.13 crore earlier.
Notable Exception and the Bigger Picture
While the upward trend is dominant, there is a rare exception. Duneshwar Pethe of the NCP (SP) reported a decline in his declared assets, with wealth falling to Rs 12.49 crore from Rs 13.91 crore in 2017.
Collectively, these affidavits point to an unmistakable pattern. A clear majority of former corporators are re-entering the electoral battle for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation with substantially greater financial resources at their disposal. This financial inflation among candidates mirrors the evolving nature of campaigning in Nagpur, which has grown bigger, louder, and undeniably more expensive, raising important questions about the influence of money in grassroots democracy.
