High stakes contest as BSP, Congressand BJP prepare for a fierce battle

 

 

Prabhag No 9, which spans parts of the North and West Nagpur Assembly constituencies, has become one of the most closely watched wards ahead of the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections. Historically tilted towards the Congress, the ward witnessed a dramatic reshaping of its political landscape in 2017 when the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) delivered an unexpected surge. With civic polls returning after nearly nine years, residents now expect long-pending issues to finally be addressed as political activity intensifies in the area.

 

 

 

In 2017, the BSP surprised both mainstream parties by winning three of the four corporator seats. Congress managed to retain only 9A, while the BJP was pushed to the margins. The results were among the biggest upsets of that election cycle and signalled a strong shift in local sentiment. Since then, alliances and power equations have shifted. Prabhag No. 9 is now influenced by two Congress MLAs — Dr Nitin Raut in North Nagpur and Vikas Thakre in West Nagpur. The BSP, banking on its core SC vote, claims it is stronger than before, while the BJP insists its expanded cadre-base will deliver surprising gains. 

 

 

The Prabhag has 55,505 voters, nearly half of them from Scheduled Castes. Around 8,000 voters belong to Muslim and Christian communities. Neighbourhoods such as Indora, Gaddigodam, Lumbini Nagar, Khalasi Line and Bezonbagh host diverse populations whose voting patterns depend heavily on local grievances. Civic concerns continue to shape public mood. “Every monsoon, drains overflow and we live in knee-deep water,” said Pradeep Wankhede from Gaddigodam. On Kamthi Road, residents complain of neglect. “The potholes make daily travel miserable. Repairs only happen before elections,” said a concerned citizen. In Indora, families say public spaces are inadequate. “Children have no proper ground to play,” said Mamta Lonare. Slum residents echo frustration. “Our land pattas are still pending despite repeated promises,” said Ramesh Dhiwar of Bezonbagh.

 

 

Encroachments, choked drains, damaged internal roads, inadequate transport and neglected markets remain unresolved. With the BSP defending its turf, Congress attempting a resurgence and the BJP seeking a breakthrough, Prabhag No. 9 is set for one of the fiercest contests in the upcoming civic elections.