Rouparani Nikam Elected as Kolhapur Mayor After Five-Year Vacancy
In a significant development for local governance, second-term corporator Rouparani Nikam was elected as the mayor of Kolhapur on Friday. This election marks the filling of a mayoral position that had remained vacant for an extended period of five years, bringing renewed leadership to the city's municipal affairs.
Political Background and Election Details
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) selected Rouparani Nikam for the mayoral post, which is reserved for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. She is the wife of Sangramsinh Nikam, a close aide of Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik, highlighting the political connections that influenced her nomination. The election took place during the first general body meeting of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) in five years, with the newly-elected corporators of the 81-member house convening to choose both the mayor and deputy mayor.
Nikam, who is 48 years old, brings prior administrative experience to the role, having served as a member of the standing committee, women and child development committee, and education committee in the KMC between 2015 and 2020. She is expected to hold the position for a 15-month term, after which the Mahayuti alliance plans to select another corporator for the mayoral role, as per their rotational agreement.
Election Process and Voting Results
The election was presided over by Kolhapur district collector Amol Yedge, ensuring a formal and regulated process. In the voting, Rouparani Nikam and deputy mayor nominee Akshay Jarag from Jan Surajya Shakti each secured 46 votes. The opposition candidates, Sachin Shende and Durvas Kadam, received 35 votes, reflecting the numerical strength of the ruling alliance in the house.
Despite having fewer numbers, the opposition decided to contest the election, banking on potential support from disgruntled Mahayuti corporators. However, the ruling alliance issued a strict whip to its members to vote for the official nominees. To prevent any cross-voting or unfavourable outcomes, all 46 corporators from the Mahayuti alliance were taken to an undisclosed location on Thursday and brought directly to the meeting on Friday morning at 10 am.
The voting was conducted by raising hands, a method that allowed floor leaders to easily monitor the corporators and ensure compliance with party directives. Visually, the corporators from Mahayuti adorned saffron-coloured 'Kolhapuri Phetas' along with their party scarves, while those from the MahaVikas Aghadi wore 'Gandhi Topis', symbolizing their respective political affiliations.
Mayor's Vision and Initiatives
Soon after her election, Rouparani Nikam announced her commitment to addressing civic issues through innovative initiatives. She plans to launch a 'Mayor at Your Doorstep' program, where a 'Janata Darbar' will be conducted on the 5th day of every month in the KMC chowk. This initiative aims to provide residents with direct access to the mayor for resolving local problems efficiently.
Nikam emphasized that key priorities for her tenure include:
- Resolving pending issues such as the merger of fringe villages into Kolhapur municipal limits.
- Addressing critical civic challenges like garbage management and water scarcity.
- Promoting women empowerment through targeted programs and policies.
She also expressed her intention to secure funds from the state government to implement development projects that will enhance the infrastructure and overall growth of Kolhapur city. By focusing on these areas, Nikam aims to foster a more responsive and progressive municipal administration, leveraging her experience and political support to drive positive change for the community.
