The electoral battleground of Prabhag 21 in East Nagpur is witnessing a gripping and closely contested fight, poised to go down to the wire. The spotlight is firmly on a direct and high-voltage clash between two powerful women candidates, making every single vote in this constituency critically important.
A Direct Duel of Heavyweights
The contest is primarily a one-on-one fight between the incumbent corporator Abha Pande, who is contesting on an NCP (Ajit Pawar) ticket, and Congress challenger Rutika Daff. This "power puff" duel has electrified a vast area spanning from Shantinagar, Mudaliar Chowk, and Satranjipura to Saheed Chowk, Maskasaath, Khairipura, Prem Nagar, Sai Nagar, Shreeram Society, Paharpura, Gondpura, Narayanpeth, and Lodhipura.
Prabhag 21, which comprises roughly 20% central and 80% East Nagpur zones, boasts a substantial electorate of approximately 65,000 voters spread across 96 polling booths. While the Itwari area resonates with support for the experienced Abha Pande, Rutika Daff's influence is strongly felt on her home turf of Prem Nagar.
Contrasting Strategies and the Dark Horse
The campaigns of the two front-runners are built on contrasting pillars. Abha Pande, a seasoned politician ably supported by her husband Bijju, is battling the weight of anti-incumbency. On the other hand, Rutika Daff is capitalizing on her ‘fresh face' appeal and the popularity she has built through mass participation in local cultural events like ‘dahi handi’. Ground sources suggest that Daff's considerable financial resources could play a decisive role in the final outcome.
However, political observers point to a potential twist in the tale. With Pande and Daff likely to split a significant portion of the votes, there is a possibility that BJP's candidate Nisha Bhoyar could emerge as the dark horse. A BJP representative from East Nagpur noted at a corner meeting in Zade Chowk that with the two main contenders cutting into each other's traditional vote banks, Bhoyar might just get lucky.
Intriguing Contests in Neighbouring Prabhags
The political drama extends to the neighbouring Prabhag 21B, where the contest is equally intriguing. Congress candidate Bhavesh Talmale, backed by the strong family legacy of his mother and prominent Congress leader Sangeeta Talmale, is seen as a serious contender. Yet, the favourite remains NCP (Ajit Pawar)'s Nitin Satnawane, who had earlier won the 2017 civic election on a Congress ticket from the same neighbourhood. BJP's Rambhau Ambulkar is largely viewed as an outsider, making the fight primarily a bipolar one between Satnawane and Talmale.
In Prabhag 21D, the scenario appears more one-sided. Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Ajay Dalal enjoys strong backing from his Lakadganj-Khairipura base. His experience as a seasoned neta, combined with the popularity of his wife Alka, positions him favourably against BJP's Sanjay Awchat and Congress's Manish Umredkar.
The Deciding Factors
As the campaign reaches its peak, several factors will determine the winner in the key Prabhag 21. The anti-incumbency factor against the sitting corporator, the ‘fresh face' appeal of the challenger, and the potential for vote-splitting are all in play. Furthermore, the influence of minority voters from areas like Satranjipura and Prem Nagar, who form a reliable Congress vote-bank, could tilt the balance in what is expected to be an extremely close race. The outcome here is a true cliffhanger, showcasing the vibrant and competitive spirit of Nagpur's local democracy.
