Nagpur: Amid the charged atmosphere of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections, an unexpected moment of warmth briefly softened the political battlefield in Prabhag (Ward) No. 23 on Sunday, January 11.
BJP leader Balya Borkar and NCP leader Duneshwar Pethe, both engaged in door-to-door campaigning for their respective party candidates, happened to converge in the same locality. Instead of exchanging barbs, the two leaders greeted each other amicably and shared a short, light-hearted interaction, an unusual sight in the middle of an intensely competitive civic poll campaign.
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13 Jan 2026
Residents and party workers present at the spot said the friendly exchange caught many by surprise, especially as campaigns across Nagpur have largely been marked by sharp rhetoric and aggressive canvassing. The moment was widely welcomed by locals, who described it as a refreshing display of mutual respect between political opponents.
With polling for the NMC elections scheduled on January 15, political activity has peaked across city wards. Prabhag 23, regarded as a key ward, has seen vigorous campaigning by major parties including the BJP, NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), with candidates making last-ditch efforts to consolidate voter support.
Political watchers observed that while electoral competition remains fierce, such instances of cordiality reflect the democratic maturity of grassroots politics. The brief interaction between Borkar and Pethe has since become a talking point in the ward, standing out as a reminder that political rivalry need not always spill into personal animosity.
As Nagpur heads into the final phase of campaigning, the city continues to witness both intense political contestation and occasional moments of unexpected bonhomie on the campaign trail.
