While political parties in Nagpur maintain a public silence on candidate selection for the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections, a frenetic rush at civic offices tells a tale of intense behind-the-scenes preparation. Aspiring candidates, from former corporators to first-timers, are not just working on their own nominations but are actively preparing backup plans through their families, with a sharp spike in demand for crucial no-due certificates.
The Paper Trail of Political Insurance
The strategy is straightforward yet revealing: secure the necessary clearance documents not just for oneself, but also for spouses, children, and close relatives. This move acts as political insurance. If a party denies a ticket to one individual, it may still consider another member from the same household, ensuring the family's political capital and local influence remain in the electoral arena.
This trend is evident in the paperwork. Former mayor Archana Dehankar recently obtained a no-due certificate for both herself and her husband, Vinayak Dehankar. Similarly, ex-deputy mayor Deepraj Pardikar arranged the documents for himself and a family member, Geeta Pardikar. Other names emerging in this preparatory phase include Rakesh Nikose and Neha Rakesh Nikose, Ekta and Jitendra Thakur, Vidya and Yogesh Madavi, and Rasika and Dinesh Rodge.
Unprecedented Administrative Rush
The administrative machinery is feeling the pressure of this political hedging. In a single day last Thursday, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) single-window centre was flooded with 1,883 applications for no-due certificates. Civic officials managed to process and issue 1,634 certificates on the same day, while 248 applications remained pending, highlighting the sheer volume and urgency of the requests.
Officials privately acknowledge that this unprecedented rush is a direct reflection of the prevailing political uncertainty. With parties withholding official candidate lists, every aspirant wants to keep their options wide open, and securing a no-due certificate is the essential first step in that process.
What's Really at Stake
For seasoned politicians, this preparation transcends personal ambition. It is a calculated move to safeguard years of built-up influence, public credibility, and local networks. The thinking is that readiness could determine whether a political family stays in the game or is sidelined for the next term.
While party offices issue cautious statements, the stacks of forms at the single-window counters serve as the first real indicator of how fiercely competitive and closely guarded the Nagpur civic polls are set to be. The quiet scramble for paperwork reveals the high-stakes battle for influence that is already underway, long before the official campaign begins.
