Uphill task for all except BJP in CM’s bastian

 

 

Prabhag 36, located in south-west Nagpur, has once again drawn intense political attention ahead of the forthcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections. Considered a politically sensitive and high-stakes ward, the Prabhag is widely regarded as a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and forms part of the core support base of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. As poll activity gathers momentum, ticket aspirants within BJP have triggered a keen internal contest, while Congress and other Opposition parties are struggling to project a candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge. The Prabhag covers a vast urban expanse, stretching across established residential layouts, commercial stretches and rapidly developing pockets near the airport and Orange City Street corridor. Given its size and political importance, parties are under pressure to field candidates with strong organisational reach and local credibility. 

 

 

 

 

In the 2017 civic elections, BJP registered a comprehensive clean sweep in Prabhag 36, winning all four corporator seats with comfortable margins. Minakshi Telgote, Pallavi Shamkule, Lahukumar Behte and Prakash Bhoyar each secured over 56 per cent of vote, leaving Congress and other parties far behind. BJP also consistently secured decisive leads from the Prabhag in subsequent Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, further reinforcing its dominance. Over the past eight years, the party has focused on strengthening booth-level organisation and completing infrastructure works such as cement roads, improved water supply and construction of new overhead tanks. However, the BJP now faces an internal challenge, with several former corporators, office-bearers and emerging leaders vying for tickets under the new reservation pattern. 

 

 

The Prabhag has 70,209 voters, including 1,603 Scheduled Caste voters and 8,933 OBC voters, along with 2 Scheduled Tribe voters. The ward includes areas such as Shastri Layout, Trimurti Nagar, Bhende Layout, Khamla, Sneha Nagar, Jaiprakash Nagar, Tapovan, Sonegaon and the airport vicinity. The diversity of settlements and the Prabhag’s wide geographical spread make direct voter outreach a demanding task. “Because the Prabhag is so large, candidates need to walk extensively and be visible in every locality,” said Suresh Pande, a resident of Sneha Nagar. 

 

 

Despite notable development, several civic issues continue to trouble residents. Illegal garbage dumping remains common in open plots, while unauthorised meat markets near Sahakar Nagar and the airport area continue to cause concern. “The meat market near Sahakar Nagar creates hygiene and safety issues, but repeated complaints have not helped,” said Ramesh Patil, a local shopkeeper. Encroachments by hawkers along Orange City Street have worsened traffic congestion. “The footpaths have been completely taken over, making it difficult for pedestrians,” noted Anita Deshmukh of Bhende Layout. Residents have also raised alarm over the growth of unauthorised slums on municipal land near Mokhare College. “Even after complaining to senior officials, no action has been taken,” said Vijay Kulkarni, a resident of Tapovan. Stray dog attacks, poor street lighting in interior lanes and irregular sanitation services remain persistent grievances. With a crowded BJP aspirant list, a searching Congress and the possibility of marginal BSP influence in select pockets, Prabhag 36 is set for a politically charged contest in the upcoming civic elections.