Nagpur's Prabhag 11 in the Zingabai Takli area has rapidly transformed into the city's most keenly observed political arena ahead of the municipal corporation elections. A combination of evolving political equations, a surge of ticket aspirants, and a notable shift by a senior BJP leader has placed this constituency at the epicenter of Nagpur's political buzz.
The Strategic Move and Electoral Enigma
The political temperature soared with the entry of former Mayor and city BJP president, Dayashankar Tiwari, who has officially shifted his residence to Prabhag 11. This relocation is widely interpreted as a strategic maneuver. With Tiwari staking a claim for the West Nagpur Assembly seat, contesting the municipal polls from this prabhag is seen as a calculated step to consolidate his grassroots base well in advance of the next state assembly elections. His presence has undeniably intensified campaigning and political activity across the area.
Adding to the unpredictability is the constituency's split voting pattern. Historically, voters here have backed the Congress in Lok Sabha and Assembly contests but switched allegiance to the BJP during municipal polls. This trend makes the upcoming civic election particularly volatile and hard to call.
A Crowded Field of Aspirants
Both major parties are grappling with intense internal competition due to a large number of hopefuls. The BJP sees a crowded list of prominent figures seeking the party ticket. Alongside Dayashankar Tiwari, names in contention include former Deputy Mayor Sandeep Jadhav, former corporators Bhushan Shingne, Sangeeta Girhe, and Archana Pathak, as well as Amar Khode, city minister Vinay Kadu, and city vice-president Manoj Singh.
The Congress faces a similar scenario. Its long list of aspirants features Oves Qadri, Bandu Thakre, Subhash Manmode, Nagesh Raut, Ranjana Shende, Nitin Kohale, Rambhau Kalambe, Vilas Barde, Pankaj Shukla, and Ajay Godbole. To manage this internal contest, the party is likely to finalize its candidate through a vote among its booth-level workers, a process expected to further inflame the political atmosphere in the coming weeks. Former Deputy Mayor Raghunath Malikar, now with the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), is also viewed as a potential contender.
Demographic Dynamics and Voter Concerns
Electoral data reveals the prabhag's complex nature. In the 2017 municipal elections, the BJP swept all four seats here comfortably. However, in a stark contrast during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari trailed in this prabhag by roughly 2,600 votes, while the Congress candidate led by a significant margin of around 5,600 votes.
Demographically, Prabhag 11 is dominated by the Kunbi community, followed by a substantial population of Hindi-speaking voters and Muslim voters. Of the nearly 71,700 voters, an estimated 16,000 to 17,000 are Muslims. The Congress traditionally holds sway in Muslim-majority localities like Anantnagar, Jafarnagar, Bagdadiya Nagar, and Ahabab Colony.
Conversely, the outer stretches along Godhani Road, Mankapur Ring Road, and Gorewada Road have witnessed a sharp rise in Hindi-speaking residents, whose voting preferences are anticipated to be a decisive factor in the poll outcome.
Beyond the political maneuvering, pressing civic issues remain paramount for voters. While areas like Anantnagar and Jafarnagar enjoy relatively better basic amenities, several older neighbourhoods and slum pockets continue to suffer from poor roads, inadequate street lighting, and acute drinking water shortages. As parties gear up for a crowded and competitive race, these local concerns are likely to weigh heavily on the minds of Prabhag 11's electorate, making development a key campaign plank.
