In a landmark political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has set the stage for a historic women-led leadership in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). Demonstrating its commanding majority in the 151-member House, the party on Monday nominated women candidates for the top civic posts, marking a significant first in NMC's history.
Unprecedented Women-Led Power Structure
For the first time since the formation of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, all three centers of power—the mayor, deputy mayor, and standing committee chairman—are poised to be held by women. This groundbreaking move comes as the BJP, with 102 corporators in the 151-member House, leverages both political strategy and numerical advantage to project a women-led administration.
Out of the BJP's 102 corporators, an impressive 54 are women, providing the party with substantial justification for this historic shift in leadership structure. The decision reflects a conscious effort to promote gender representation at the highest levels of municipal governance.
Key Nominations and Political Maneuvering
Senior BJP corporator Neeta Thakre, elected from Prabhag 28, filed her nomination for the mayor's post on Monday, while Leela Hathibed, corporator from Prabhag 29, submitted her nomination for deputy mayor. The nomination papers were submitted in the presence of BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari, MLAs Krishna Khopde and Mohan Mate, and several senior corporators.
In a significant political development, three-term corporator and lawyer Sanjay Balpande—whose name had been widely discussed for the deputy mayor's post—stepped aside to clear the way for Hathibed's elevation. Party sources indicate that Balpande is now keen on playing a strategic role within the civic body, showcasing internal party adjustments to accommodate the new leadership structure.
Standing Committee Leadership
Party sources reveal that first-time corporator Shivani Dani is the front-runner for the post of Standing Committee chairperson, which is considered the most powerful position in NMC after the mayor. Her name is expected to be formally announced during the special general body meeting on February 6, coinciding with the mayoral and deputy mayoral elections.
The Standing Committee holds crucial authority over the civic body's financial matters, including control of the civic purse, approval of major contracts, and shaping of policy decisions. This makes the position both politically and administratively significant for the functioning of the municipal corporation.
Internal Coordination and Strategic Considerations
The nomination process highlighted BJP's internal coordination and numerical advantage in the House. Thakre's candidature was proposed by Saraswati Vijay Salame and seconded by Manju Ganesh Chacherkar, while Hathibed's nomination was proposed by Pramod Joginder Singh Thakur and seconded by Pragati Rohit Yadav.
Insiders suggest that BJP's decision to select women for the top posts aims to project stability, continuity, and confidence at a critical juncture. The civic body is expected to make crucial decisions on infrastructure projects, high-value tenders, budgetary allocations, and long-pending administrative reforms in the coming months.
Opposition Position and Internal Dynamics
From the Congress party, Snehal Thakre filed nomination for mayor and Vivek Nikose for deputy mayor. However, the party lacks the necessary numbers to mount a serious challenge to the BJP's dominance in the House.
Despite the outward display of discipline during the nomination event, several senior BJP corporators were observed standing conspicuously apart, subtly signaling their dissatisfaction with the party's final decisions. This suggests underlying tensions within the party regarding the new leadership appointments.
Formal Party Registration
In a related development, the BJP formally registered its party with 102 corporators at the divisional commissioner's office under city president Dayashankar Tiwari. The registration was completed at 11 AM as part of statutory procedures, followed by formal applications submitted at NMC at 2 PM.
This comprehensive move by the BJP not only establishes its numerical superiority but also sets the stage for a transformative period in Nagpur's municipal governance with women at the helm of all key positions.
