The final day for filing nominations for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections transformed the civic body's zonal offices into scenes of high drama and frantic activity on Tuesday. Aspiring candidates, flanked by relatives, party workers, and supporters, engaged in a last-minute scramble to submit their papers before the 3 pm deadline, leading to a massive surge in numbers.
A Frenzied Final Day
While the NMC began the process of distributing and accepting nomination forms on December 23, the true intensity was reserved for the closing day. The nomination window opened at 11 am, but as the clock inched towards the 3 pm cutoff, a steady rush turned into an overwhelming surge. At the stroke of 3 pm, gates at all zone offices were shut simultaneously. Only those already inside the premises were permitted to submit their documents, leaving several latecomers and those with incomplete paperwork pleading unsuccessfully outside barricades.
Outside the offices, a mix of political workers, candidate families, and curious onlookers jostled for a view of the proceedings. The atmosphere was a study in contrasts: some candidates arrived with small rallies featuring dhols and banners to showcase their support base, while several first-timers walked in quietly, visibly tense and clutching their files tightly.
Zone-Wise Numbers and Political Scenes
The data reveals the scale of the last-day filing spree. A total of 1,457 candidates filed nominations till the deadline—a staggering jump from the mere 225 forms submitted until Monday. The zone-wise breakdown of forms filed is as follows:
- Laxmi Nagar: 77
- Dharampeth: 137
- Hanuman Nagar: 134
- Dhantoli: 128
- Nehru Nagar: 170 (figures awaited earlier)
- Gandhibagh: 148
- Satranjipura: 137
- Lakadganj: 151
- Ashi Nagar: 190
- Mangalwari: 185
Personal moments punctuated the political chaos. At the Dharampeth zone, Congress candidate Abhijeet Jha arrived with his mother and sister, offering prayers before filing his papers. Former BJP corporator Parineeti Fukey, who is not contesting this time, was present to offer moral support to party colleagues. In Laxmi Nagar, veteran leader and MPCC general secretary Praful Gudadhe accompanied his wife Kumudini, who filed her nomination after the seat was reserved for a Scheduled Caste woman candidate.
Administrative Hustle and Future Steps
Heavy police deployment was seen across all zones to manage crowds and prevent friction between rival groups. Inside the offices, clerks and returning officers worked under immense pressure as long queues snaked through corridors. The late distribution of party ‘B’ forms added to the confusion, forcing candidates to rush back and forth for necessary signatures and seals.
Municipal Commissioner and Chief Election Officer Abhijeet Chaudhari stated, "We anticipated the rush and made elaborate arrangements. ROs were instructed not to reject forms over minor issues." By evening, the scrutiny process had begun, with piles of affidavits, caste validity certificates, and no-dues documents moving across tables. Outside, some disappointed aspirants continued to argue their case, unwilling to accept the finality of the deadline.
The final tally of valid candidates will now be determined through the scrutiny process. However, Tuesday's chaotic scenes served as a powerful reminder of a perennial political truth: in elections, the most decisive action invariably unfolds at the eleventh hour.
