Nagpur Municipal Corporation Poised for Historic Women-Led Leadership Under BJP
In a landmark political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has set the stage for a historic women-led leadership in the 151-member Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) House. Demonstrating its clear majority, the party has nominated women corporators for all three key positions of power for the first time since the civic body's formation.
Women Corporators to Occupy All Three Power Centers
Out of BJP's 102 corporators in the NMC, an impressive 54 are women, providing both political justification and numerical strength for establishing a women-led power structure at the helm of municipal governance. This unprecedented move marks a significant shift in Nagpur's political landscape.
Official Nominations Filed for Key Positions
As per the official process, senior BJP corporator Neeta Thakre, elected from Prabhag 28, formally filed her nomination for the mayor's post on Monday. Simultaneously, Leela Hathibed, corporator from Prabhag 29, submitted her nomination for the deputy mayor position.
In a notable political development, three-term corporator and lawyer Sanjay Balpande, whose name had been widely discussed for the deputy mayor's post, voluntarily stepped aside to facilitate Hathibed's elevation. Party insiders indicate that Balpande is now focused on playing a strategic role within the civic administration.
Standing Committee Leadership and Political Significance
BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari officially announced the party's decisions, ending days of speculation within political circles. According to party sources, first-time corporator Shivani Dani has emerged as the front-runner for the crucial post of Standing Committee chairperson, considered the most powerful position in NMC after the mayor.
The Standing Committee holds substantial authority as it controls the civic purse, approves major contracts, and shapes important policy decisions, making this position both politically and administratively significant. Dani's name is expected to be formally announced during the special general body meeting scheduled for February 6, coinciding with the mayoral and deputy mayoral elections.
Nomination Process and Internal Coordination
The nomination forms were submitted in the presence of Tiwari, MLAs Krishna Khopde and Mohan Mate, along with several senior corporators, ahead of the February 6 polls. Thakre's candidature was proposed by Saraswati Vijay Salame and seconded by Manju Ganesh Chacherkar, while Hathibed's nomination was proposed by Pramod Joginder Singh Thakur and seconded by Pragati Rohit Yadav.
This careful selection of proposers highlighted BJP's internal coordination and its substantial numerical advantage in the House. Insiders revealed that the party's decision to appoint women to top posts aims to project stability, continuity, and confidence at a crucial juncture when the civic body is expected to make important decisions regarding infrastructure projects, high-value tenders, budgetary allocations, and long-pending administrative reforms.
Opposition Position and Internal Dynamics
From the opposition Congress party, Snehal Thakre filed nomination for mayor and Vivek Nikose for deputy mayor. However, the party lacks the necessary numbers to mount a serious challenge to BJP's dominance in the House.
Despite the outward display of discipline by BJP, several senior party corporators were observed standing conspicuously away during the nomination event, subtly indicating their dissatisfaction with the party's final decisions regarding leadership positions.
Formal Party Registration Completed
Under the leadership of city president Dayashankar Tiwari, BJP formally registered its party with 102 corporators at the divisional commissioner's office as part of statutory procedures. The registration process was completed at 11 AM, following which formal applications were submitted at NMC at 2 PM, solidifying the party's official standing in the municipal corporation.
