Kolhapur Mayor Election: Mahayuti Takes Precautionary Step with Corporator Trip
In a strategic move ahead of the crucial mayoral elections in Kolhapur, the Mahayuti alliance, despite holding a clear majority, has decided to send its newly elected corporators on a trip on Thursday as a precautionary measure. This development comes as these corporators are set to arrive in Kolhapur for the highly anticipated mayoral elections scheduled for February 6 at 11 am.
Political Composition and Contestants
The political landscape in Kolhapur is sharply divided, with the Mahayuti alliance commanding a total of 46 corporators. This coalition comprises 26 from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 15 from Shiv Sena, 4 from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and 1 from the Jansurajya Shakti Party. On the opposing side, the Mahavikas Aghadi holds 35 corporators, including 34 from the Congress party and 1 from Shiv Sena (UBT).
For the prestigious post of mayor, the contest has narrowed down to two key candidates. BJP's Ruparani Nikam has filed an application, facing competition from Congress's Sachin Shende. Meanwhile, the deputy mayor position will see a direct contest between Durvas Kadam of the Congress party and Akshay Jarag of the Jan Surajya Shakti Party.
Administrative Preparations Underway
The elections for both the mayor and deputy mayor positions will be conducted at the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) under the chairmanship of District Collector Amol Yedge. Administrative preparations at the KMC hall are proceeding at a war footing to ensure a smooth electoral process.
On Wednesday, KMC Administrator K Manjulekshmi personally inspected the ongoing preparations for the mayoral elections. During her visit, she reviewed several critical aspects, including:
- The renovation work currently underway in the assembly hall.
- Entry arrangements specifically designed for the newly elected corporators.
- Parking facilities and other related amenities.
Deputy Collector Sampat Khilari was present on behalf of the presiding officer during this comprehensive inspection. Manjulekshmi provided necessary instructions to the concerned officials to ensure all arrangements are in place.
Traffic Restrictions and Security Measures
In view of the election process, significant traffic restrictions have been announced. The road from the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar statue in front of the municipal corporation to Bazargate will be closed to traffic from both sides. This measure aims to facilitate a peaceful and orderly election day.
Manjulekshmi emphasized that all election-related work will be carried out within the framework of the model code of conduct, strictly adhering to the instructions issued by the district collector. To maintain decorum and security, newly elected members will be permitted entry into the assembly hall only until 11 am on the day of the election.
This precautionary trip for Mahayuti corporators underscores the high stakes involved in the Kolhapur mayoral elections, reflecting the intense political dynamics at play in the region.
