The newly formed Digdoh Nagar Parishad on the outskirts of Nagpur is set to witness its first-ever civic election, shaping up as a direct contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction). The political battle has gained intensity with a former BJP member rebelling and entering the fray as an independent candidate.
A Historic Contest for a New Civic Body
Located along the boundary of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, the industrially significant area of Digdoh was granted nagar parishad status by the government in 2023. This move came after persistent demands from residents, who were dissatisfied with inadequate funding and development under the previous gram panchayat system. The constituency, which is reserved for a Scheduled Caste woman, comprises 12 wards. Voters will elect 24 corporators and one chairperson to lead the new civic body.
Candidates and Key Issues in the Fray
A total of seven candidates are contesting for the top post of nagar parishad chairperson. The BJP has officially fielded Dr. Pooja Uke, the daughter of the party's state SC cell vice-president, Ambadas Uke. The NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) has nominated Amoli Zodape, while the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) candidate is Sangita Meshram. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has put up Deeksha Tagde.
The contest has been complicated by the rebellion of former BJP gram panchayat member Durga Borkar, who is now running as an independent. Other candidates in the race include former Hingna Panchayat Samiti chairperson Rekha Kalskar and Rekha Dhune.
Rebellion is not confined to the chairperson's race. In the corporator elections, a crowded field of 83 candidates is battling for the 24 seats, indicating intense political activity at the grassroots level.
Campaign Focuses on Civic Neglect and Development
Despite its proximity to Nagpur city and housing several major educational institutions and the MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation), Digdoh grapples with severe civic challenges. Residents cite poor roads, insufficient drinking water supply, a lack of drainage lines, no playgrounds, and underdeveloped public spaces as major problems. Even the administrative building of the former gram panchayat remains incomplete.
Campaigning has gained momentum with senior leaders hitting the ground. MLA Sameer Meghe and guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule have held rallies for the BJP, while former minister Ramesh Bang is campaigning for the NCP. The core demand from the electorate is clear: they want a leader who will resolve these long-pending infrastructure issues and generate employment opportunities in the area.
Electoral Demographics and Verdict Awaited
The Digdoh Nagar Parishad has a total of 33,188 registered voters who will cast their ballots across 37 polling stations. The voter breakdown includes 17,502 male voters, 15,683 female voters, and 3 voters in the 'Others' category. With campaigning in its final stages, the electoral verdict on who will secure the mandate to lead Digdoh's first independent civic administration will soon be known.
