After days of loud campaigning and intense last-minute efforts by rival groups, civic elections in Chandrapur, Amravati, and Akola are happening today. These polls will test whether local factors and rebel candidates can disrupt the plans of major political parties.
Chandrapur's Multi-Cornered Battle
Chandrapur is voting in what started as a fight between the BJP and Congress but has grown into a complex multi-cornered contest. Disputes over ticket distribution and a surge of rebel candidates across wards have widened the field.
Internal conflicts within the Congress, particularly between MP Pratibha Dhanorkar and Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, have hurt the party's campaign. The BJP is also facing its own divisions, especially between former minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and MLA Kishor Jorghewar.
The contest includes many parties. The Vidarbha Kisan Majdoor Congress, aligned with the NCP (Ajit Pawar), is in the race. Other participants are Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Republican Party, Aam Aadmi Party, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, BSP, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and AIMIM.
In total, 451 candidates are competing in Chandrapur, with 115 of them running as independents. This high number shows the significant fragmentation in the election. Political experts say factional rivalries and competing power centers could sway voter support on the ground.
Even after official campaigning ended on Tuesday evening, parties and alliances stayed active behind the scenes. Senior leaders reviewed situations ward by ward, worked on damage control, and planned for booth-level activities.
Amravati's Voting Details
In Amravati, 6,77,180 voters will elect 87 corporators. The election covers 22 prabhags under seven zones. Voting will take place at 805 booths.
There are 661 candidates in the fray, including 120 independents. Citizens will cast four votes each in 21 prabhags and three votes each in prabhag 9.
Key parties contesting in Amravati include NCP (Ajit Pawar) with 85 seats, which is supporting two Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates in Jawahar Gate prabhag. Other major parties are Congress (74 seats), BJP (68 seats), Shiv Sena (Shinde) (67 seats), VBA-United Forum (47 seats), Shiv Sena (UBT) (41 seats), YSP (36 seats), BSP (34 seats), AIMIM (25 seats), and NCP (Sharad Pawar) (14 seats).
Counting of votes will begin at 10 am on January 16 at the Navsari Sports Complex.
Akola's Closely Watched Contest
Akola has 469 candidates in the election, making it a keenly watched battle. The city has 5,50,060 voters, and the administration has set up 630 polling stations.
Several constituencies are seeing triangular contests involving ruling parties, opposition alliances, and independents.
Under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Archit Chandak, strict security arrangements are in place for polling and counting days. These include enhanced protection for EVMs and strong rooms.
Multiple AST, FST, and VST teams have been deployed across key areas. These areas are Dabki Road, Old City, Bypass, MIDC, Mangrulpir Road, Akot Phail, and Murtijapur Road.
