Nagpur: The political battleground in Nagpur division has officially come alive as the State Election Commission announced the schedule for the first phase of municipal council and nagar panchayat elections across Maharashtra. Voting will take place on December 2, and results will be declared on December 3.
A total of 27 nagar parishads and panchayats in Nagpur district will go to polls, marking the first major test for the ruling BJP and a battle for political survival for the Congress.
For the BJP, this election is being seen as an agnipariksha (trial by fire). The opposition has gone on the offensive, alleging “vote theft” and amplifying rural resentment over crop losses, floods, and delayed compensation. With heavyweights like Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule representing the district, a poor showing could ripple into upcoming Zilla Parishad and Municipal Corporation elections.
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04Oct 2025
For the Congress, still reeling from a crushing defeat in the last Assembly elections, this is a do-or-die contest to retain its grassroots presence in the district.
Where Elections Will Be Held
Voting will take place in 27 local bodies including Bahadura, Besa Pipla, Bhivapur, Butibori, Digdoha, Kalmeshwar-Bramhani, Kamptee, Kandri-Kanhan, Katol, Khapa, Kondhali, Mahadula, Mohpa, Mouda, Narkhed, Nildoha, Parseoni, Ramtek, Savner, Umred, Wanadongri, Bidgaon-Tarodi, Pandhurna, Godhni Railway, Kanhan-Pipri, Mowad, Wadi, and Yerakheda.
Across the division, elections will also be held in Bhandara (4), Chandrapur (11), Gondia (4), Wardha (6), and Gadchiroli (3) nagar parishads.
Code of Conduct & Spending Limits
With the election announcement, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect. The Election Commission has also increased spending limits:
- Class A Council: ₹15 lakh (Chairperson), ₹5 lakh (Member)
- Class B Council: ₹11.25 lakh and ₹3.5 lakh
- Class C Council: ₹7.5 lakh and ₹2.5 lakh
- Nagar Panchayat: ₹6 lakh and ₹2.25 lakh
Short Campaign Window
Candidates can file nominations from November 10 to 17, with scrutiny on November 18 and withdrawal till November 21. Final candidate lists will be issued by November 26, leaving just four days (Nov 27–30) for campaigning before the December 2 vote.
What’s Next
According to sources, Zilla Parishad elections are expected in late December, followed by Municipal Corporation polls in January 2026, in compliance with the Supreme Court directive to complete all local body elections before January 31.
The Bigger Picture
The coming elections will test BJP’s grip on rural Nagpur and the Congress’s relevance after back-to-back losses. Veteran leaders like Sunil Kedar, Rajendra Mulak, and Sanjay Meshram face high-stakes contests that could shape their political futures.
The results from this first phase will set the tone for the district council and municipal elections — and could influence the 2026 Assembly strategy for both national parties.
