Nagpur: As the clock ticks towards February 2, the last day for filing nominations for the Nagpur Mayor’s post, the city’s political corridors are buzzing with one big question: Who will finally get the crown? And if insiders are to be believed, the suspense may stretch even further, right up to February 6, when voting will take place.
The mayoral seat, reserved for a woman corporator from the general category, has triggered intense behind-the-scenes lobbying within the BJP. Although the Nagpur city core committee has finalised names for both Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the leadership has deliberately kept its cards close to the chest. Interestingly, the suspense refused to lift even after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari chaired a crucial core committee meeting on Friday evening.
Adding to the intrigue, Fadnavis himself acknowledged that discussions had taken place and names were decided, but stopped short of revealing them. “We discussed the mayoral election and decided the names. The final decision will be taken tomorrow or the day after,” he said, hinting at intense internal negotiations. He also pointed to what party insiders call “route pressure,” local political equations and regional lobbying, which is expected to play a decisive role. The final call, he indicated, will rest with the city BJP leadership, state ministers and the Union leadership.
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At the heart of the tug-of-war is East Nagpur, which sent the highest number of corporators to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and is aggressively staking its claim. MLA Krishna Khopde is said to be leading the charge, with Manisha Atkare and Santosh Laddha emerging as key names from the region. South Nagpur has its own strong contenders in Neeta Thakre and Divya Dhurde, while South-West Nagpur has thrown up a crowded field with Vishakha Mohod, Shivani Dani and Ashwini Jichkar in the fray.
With multiple aspirants and senior leaders backing different names, memories of the previous NMC term have resurfaced. Back then, the Mayor’s post was split between Sandip Joshi and Dayashankar Tiwari, each serving around two-and-a-half years. BJP insiders now whisper that a similar rotational formula is once again under consideration to balance regional aspirations and organisational compulsions.
Meanwhile, procedural delays have added yet another twist. Despite its thumping mandate, the BJP is yet to complete group registration in the NMC, a step that hinges on appointing a group leader, another decision still hanging fire. As a result, the formal announcement of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and other key civic posts has been pushed back.
Sources say February 2 could be the day when everything finally falls into place. The BJP is expected to register its group of 102 corporators with the Divisional Commissioner’s office and simultaneously finalise the Mayor and Deputy Mayor candidates before filing nominations. The election itself will be held on February 6 at Suresh Bhat Auditorium. While at least two women corporators are expected to file nominations, a last-minute withdrawal cannot be ruled out, ensuring the suspense survives till polling day.
This election will usher in Nagpur’s 55th Mayor. The high-stakes core committee meeting on Friday was held at Gadkari’s residence and attended by BJP City President and former Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari, along with MLA Pravin Datke. The NMC elections, held on January 15 after the general body was dissolved on March 4, 2022, saw the BJP retain power for a fourth consecutive term with 102 of 151 seats, despite a slight dip of six seats compared to the previous House.
With the BJP firmly in control, the numbers are not in doubt. What remains a mystery, and a matter of intense curiosity, is the identity of Nagpur’s next First Citizen. All eyes are now firmly fixed on February 2… or perhaps February 6.
