In a significant political development in Nagpur, the city's Congress unit, led by its president and West Nagpur MLA Vikas Thakre, faced a substantial setback. Former Congress corporator Darshani Dhawad formally switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), bringing with her a cadre of more than 100 party workers.
A High-Profile Defection Ceremony
The induction ceremony was held at the residence of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. The event witnessed the presence of prominent BJP leaders, underscoring its importance. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Nagpur city BJP president Dayashankar Tiwari were among the senior figures who welcomed Dhawad into the party fold.
This strategic move is seen as a direct blow to the Congress's grassroots strength in the region. Darshani Dhawad is not a new entrant to electoral politics; she was elected as a corporator in the 2017 Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections. She represented prabhag number 12 on a Congress ticket, establishing her local connect and influence.
Deepening the Wound for Congress
The defection carries added weight due to Dhawad's recent active role within the Congress. During the last two crucial Assembly elections in 2019 and 2024, she played a key role in mobilising support and managing the campaign for Vikas Thakre in the West Nagpur constituency. Her insider knowledge and ground-level network are now assets for the BJP.
The mass joining of over 100 workers alongside her indicates a coordinated shift that could potentially weaken the Congress's organisational machinery in specific pockets of the city. Political analysts view this as part of a larger trend of consolidation by the ruling BJP ahead of future local body elections.
Political Repercussions and Future Implications
This event highlights the ongoing turbulence within the Nagpur Congress and presents a formidable challenge for MLA Vikas Thakre. Losing a seasoned local leader and her workforce impacts the party's ability to counter the BJP's well-oiled election machinery. For the BJP, the acquisition strengthens its cadre base and sends a message of growing dominance in the region, which is already the home turf of several of its national leaders.
The public ceremony at Gadkari's residence, attended by the Chief Minister, signals the BJP's intent to leverage this defection for maximum political impact. It sets the stage for intensified political rivalry in the city, with the Congress now forced to re-strategise and contain further erosion of its local leadership.
