Prabhag no 26 of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, encompassing Wathoda and adjoining localities affected by the Bhandewadi dumping yard, is emerging as a key ward to watch for ahead of the long-delayed civic elections. Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) clean sweep in the 2017 municipal polls and its sustained lead in subsequent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, growing civic fatigue and unresolved infrastructure issues are injecting uncertainty into the electoral mood. The ward, which falls partly along the Ring Road, has a distinct spatial divide. Around 60 per cent of the prabhag lies on the inner side of the Ring Road, where civic development has been relatively better, while the remaining 40 per cent beyond the Ring Road comprises rapidly expanded but poorly serviced habitation. Areas such as Shiv Nagar, Pavanshakti Nagar, New Suraj Nagar, Vidya Nagar and surrounding area continue to struggle with unauthorised layouts, inadequate roads, poor drainage and lack of comprehensive sewerage network. 

 

 

 

BJP’s clean sweep in 2017 polls

 

In the 2017 Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections, Prabhag 26 saw a four-seat sweep by BJP. The winning corporators included Adv Dharmapal Meshram, currently Vice-Chairman of the State Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Commission; former Zone Chairperson Samita Chakole; former Deputy Mayor Manisha Kothe; and former Transport Committee Chairman and BJP City President Bunty Kukde. Victory margins were decisive. Bunty Kukde defeated Congress’ Vijay Chikhate by 3,391 votes, while Adv Dharmapal Meshram overcame Prashant Bankar by 3,497 votes. Samita Chakole defeated Sharada Wankhede by 4,865 votes, and Manisha Kothe registered a landslide victory over Nirmala Junghare by a margin exceeding 7,000 votes. Shiv Sena candidates polled around 3,000 votes each, while nominees of Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and independents have a noticeable share, contributing to vote fragmentation that favoured BJP. 

 

 

Demography of the Prabhag is dominated by Teli and Kunbi communities, followed by Dalit, Halba, Muslim and tribal communities. The social mix has historically produced competitive contests, though the BJP’s organisational strength and consolidation of Hindu OBC votes have given it a clear edge. However, demographic expansion beyond the Ring Road has altered voter expectations, with new residents prioritising basic civic amenities over party allegiance. 

 

 

The Bhandewadi dumping yard remains the single most contentious issue. Residents of Dharti Maa Society, Sangharsh Nagar, Chandmari, Shravan Nagar and Radha-Krishna Nagar complain of persistent stench, pollution and health problems linked to waste processing activities. Beyond the Ring Road, the lack of drinking water supply, sewerage lines and all-weather roads has intensified public anger. In Shiv Nagar, sewerage problem has reached a critical stage, with rainwater and sewage entering homes during monsoon. Internal roads in slum pockets remain non-existent or severely damaged, restricting access and worsening living conditions.

 

 

With civic polls being held after about nine years, number of aspirants has swelled across parties. BJP heavyweights Bunty Kukde and Adv Dharmapal Meshram have re-entered the fray. Congress party is hoping to gain support as well. As unauthorised layout, dumping yard mitigation and basic infrastructure emerge as decisive issues, the Prabhag is set for a more competitive contest than its past results suggest, testing whether political dominance can withstand sustained civic neglect.