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Nagpur: The political landscape in Nagpur has shifted sharply as former allies turn into direct competitors in the upcoming municipal council and municipal panchayat elections. A total of 2,881 candidates have filed their nominations, reflecting one of the most fiercely contested local body battles in recent years.

The BJP enters the election phase with renewed confidence after its recent win in Bihar, while the Congress struggles with internal discord. The contrasting political momentum is clearly influencing the dynamics of the district polls.

Mahayuti Faces Internal Split as BJP, Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawar Group Clash

Seat-sharing negotiations within the BJP-led Mahayuti have collapsed.
The BJP has fielded candidates for all 27 municipal council president seats, signaling an aggressive solo strategy.

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However, allies Shinde Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction have countered by announcing candidates on 15 seats each, converting the election into a triangular contest across multiple regions.
This open rivalry has effectively dismantled the alliance on the ground.

For senior BJP leaders including Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and MoS Ashish Jaiswal, the election is a prestige battle, as five of the district’s six MLAs belong to the party. Maintaining dominance is crucial to secure future influence in local governance.

Congress Under Pressure: Factionalism, Ticket Disputes and Rival Panels

Congress leader Sunil Kedar faces a decisive test in these elections, which are crucial for regaining political relevance after the Assembly defeat.

However, the party is struggling with:
• Factionalism
• Ticket-related disputes
• Resignations and defections

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction and the Shiv Sena (UBT) have added pressure by fielding candidates in 11 seats each, further splitting the opposition vote base.
Congress may face significant losses if internal differences are not resolved promptly.

Key Battlegrounds: Ramtek and Kamptee

Ramtek: A Three-Way Tussle Turns Unpredictable

Ramtek has emerged as a high-stakes seat for both national allies and local leaders.
Congress intensified infighting after denying a ticket to loyal worker Damodar Dhopte and offering it instead to the Prhar Janshakti Party’s Ramesh Karemohare.
Dhopte responded by filing as an independent candidate, a move that may split Congress votes and tilt the contest into a BJP vs Shinde Sena battle.

Kamptee: Heavyweight Contest with a Powerful Rebel Force

Kamptee presents even more complex dynamics.
Sulekha Kumbhare, a prominent leader from the Bharatiya Republican Party (BharatM), has fielded her own candidate in protest against the BJP.
Her influence in the region can deliver a major blow to the party’s performance.

The constituency is crowded with candidates from:
BJP, Congress, NCP (Ajit Pawar), Shinde Sena, UBT Sena, AAP, AIMIM, BSP, and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi—making it one of the district’s most unpredictable contests.

Rebels Disrupt BJP and Congress Strategies Across Multiple Seats

Rebel candidates have emerged as a significant challenge for both major parties.
They have filed nominations across several municipal councils, disrupting pre-planned strategies.

Key disruptions include:
• Savner — BJP, Congress, and NCP (Ajit Pawar) in a triangular contest, with Lodhi Aghadi also influencing votes.
• Khapa — BJP workers defecting to Shinde Sena and Congress after ticket disputes.
• Wanadongri — Former BJP corporator Mahananda Patil contesting on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket.
• Butibori — Multiple Congress leaders shifting to rival parties.

This widespread rebellion has forced both BJP and Congress leadership to allocate significant time to damage control.

2,881 Candidates File for 27 Councils Across Nagpur District

The district has recorded 2,881 total nominations, comprising:
• 247 nominations for municipal council president posts
• 2,634 nominations for municipal councillor positions

Kamptee recorded the highest number of nominations at 230, while Mowad had the lowest at 56.
Notably, the final day of filing saw a surge, with 1,920 nominations submitted on November 17.

Candidates may withdraw their nominations between November 19 and 21, after which the final list will be confirmed following scrutiny of objections.

Seat-Wise Nomination Summary (Nagpur District)