Multi-cornered contest expected

 

 

 

Prabhag No 20 in the Central Nagpur Assembly segment, covering the Tandapeth area, is emerging as one of the most competitive wards ahead of the much-anticipated civic elections. The Prabhag has traditionally witnessed fragmented contests, and indications suggest a repeat of the multi-cornered battle seen in 2017.

 

 

 

The 2017 elections to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation saw as many as 45 candidates contesting from Prabhag No 20, leading to large-scale vote splitting. Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party having a strong organisational base, the Congress managed to secure one crucial victory, highlighting the ward’s unpredictable electoral behaviour. 

 

 

Prabhag No 20 has a dominant Halba population, alongside sizeable Muslim, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Teli, and Kunbi communities. This demographic mix has historically produced multi-layered contests rather than bipolar fights. In 2017, Shiv Sena candidates polled between 4,500 and 7,000 votes, while three Nationalist Congress Party candidates secured 1,497, 2,302, and 988 votes respectively. Bahujan Samaj Party candidates polled 1,974, 1,315, and 1,888 votes. In the general category, Deeparaj Pardikar (5,923) defeated Congress candidate Motiram Mohadikaar (5,661) by a slender margin of 262 votes. Shiv Sena’s Kishor Parate (5,580) and independent candidate Shravan Khapekar (5,578) followed closely. As many as 20 independent candidates were in the fray, along with nominees from parties such as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Rashtriya Janasurajya Party, and the Communist Party of India, though their impact remained limited. With the ward no longer reserved for women, male candidates are now eligible to contest, and the Halba community is expected to play a decisive role, particularly in the general and OBC segments. 

 

The absence of elected corporators for nearly three years has aggravated local problems. Development of Naik Talao has progressed slowly despite repeated expenditure, with water hyacinth recurring annually. Pollution and foul odour from the lake continue to trouble residents. The Lendi Talao redevelopment has stalled due to the unresolved rehabilitation of families residing in the area for over five decades. Traffic congestion caused by the under-construction flyover between Golibar Chowk and Kamal Chowk has become severe, with residents reporting jams lasting three to four hours. Poor internal roads, illegal parking in market areas, and persistent congestion have further fuelled public frustration. As OBC reservation is expected to be reworked following changes in the reservation cap, aspirants are closely watching its impact on Prabhag No 20. Civic neglect and electoral fragmentation together ensure that this ward will remain one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the coming polls.