After 7 yrs, ZP to go to polls!

Finally, after seven years, it appears that Nagpur Zilla Parishad (ZP) will go to polls in a few months. ‘It appears’ because since the term of the present alliance-led body came to an end in March 2017, the elections have been postponed for this or that reason. Now, State Election Commission (SEC) has directed Divisional Commissioner and District Collector to finalise the formation of 58 ZP circles and reservation by May 13. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led alliance comprising Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena, and Gondwana Gantantra Party had come to power in March 2012. Sandhya Gotmare, a former ZP member of Congress party who had joined BJP just ahead of elections then, was elected as President of ZP and Chandrashekhar Chikhale of NCP was given the position of ZP Vice-President. Gotmare had contested the election for the post of ZP President against BJP rebel Nisha Sawarkar who was supported by Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Republican Party of India (RPI). When Gotmare completed her term of two-and-a-half year as ZP President, Nisha Sawarkar was elected to replace her.

This time, Sawarkar got elected as BJP candidate with support of Shiv Sena, RPI, Gondwana Gantantra Party, and BSP. This time, Congress and NCP were together against BJP-led alliance but could not muster enough numbers in 58-member ZP House. Since taking over as ZP President, Sawarkar has retained the position till date. For, elections that were supposed to be held in early 2017, could not be held due to various reasons. In effect, Sawarkar has got more than four-and-a-half years as ZP President so far. Initially, the elections to ZP were deferred as State Government elevated Parseoni to the status of Nagar Panchayat on October 25, 2016. Later, it elevated Wanadongri and Butibori to the status of municipal councils on October 26, 2016 and April 18, 2018 respectively.

These developments changed the constitution of ZP circles. Later, writ petitions were filed in the High Court and later the Supreme Court in this regard and this resulted in deferment in ZP elections. Meanwhile, in June 2016, Nagpur ZP chief’s post got reserved for Scheduled Caste (Woman). It was reserved for General (Woman) previously. Also, given the petitions, Rural Development Department of State Government issued an order in April 2017 granting extension to Nagpur ZP’s current body till the elections were held. During the court of hearing, the court had asked State Government to conduct elections to newly formed Butibori municipal council, and also take decision regarding 50 per cent reservation for ZP circles within three months. In its directives to Divisional Commissioner and District Collector, SEC has now stated clearly, “State Government has not taken any decision regarding 50 per cent reservation for ZP circles, despite passage of three months. Besides, State Government did not take any decision in this regard despite letters, meetings, and telephonic conversation from SEC on September 9, 2018, January 10, 2019, and February 20, 2019. The High Court also has not granted any extension to the State Government for the purpose.”

Hence, states SEC directives issued on Tuesday, it has become necessary to hold elections to Nagpur ZP and Panchayat Samitis under it, and of Butibori municipal council. Avinash Katade, Deputy District Election Officer (ZP, PS), confirmed that SEC had issued the directives in this regard. SEC has published schedule and notification in this regard. As per the notification, the final formation and reservation is to be declared for 58 circles of ZP, Katade told ‘The Hitavada’. Kiran Kurundkar, Secretary, SEC, has accordingly asked Divisional Commissioner and District Collector to carry out draw of lots for reservation for ZP segments on April 30 and publish final formation of ZP circles and reservation in Gazette on May 13. This means, despite carving out Parseoni Nagar Panchayat, and Wanadongri and Butibori municipal councils, the number of ZP circles will remain the same considering the population size as criteria.