BJP's Ruparani Nikam Secures Kolhapur Mayor Post After Five-Year Vacancy
In a significant political development, the newly constituted general body of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator Ruparani Nikam as the new Mayor and Jan Surajya Shakti nominee Akshay Jarag as the Deputy Mayor. The election, held on Friday, February 6, marks the end of a prolonged leadership vacuum that lasted over five years since the previous term concluded in November 2020.
Vote Tally and Political Dynamics
In the 81-member municipal house, both Nikam and Jarag secured 46 votes each, decisively defeating the opposition MahaVikas Aghadi alliance candidates Sachin Shende and Durvas Kadam, who garnered 35 votes. The election was presided over by Kolhapur District Collector Amol Yedge, ensuring a formal and transparent process.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance, despite holding a numerical advantage, took stringent measures to prevent any defections or unfavorable outcomes. All 46 corporators from Mahayuti parties were reportedly taken to an undisclosed location on Thursday and escorted directly to the meeting venue on Friday morning at 10 AM. This strategic move was complemented by the issuance of a strict party whip, mandating support for the official nominees.
Symbolic Attire and Voting Procedure
The election session was visually distinctive, with corporators from Mahayuti parties adorning saffron-colored 'Kolhapuri Phetas' alongside their party scarfs, while MahaVikas Aghadi members wore 'Gandhi Topis'. The voting was conducted through a show of hands, a method that allowed floor leaders to closely monitor allegiance and avert any potential cross-voting or rebellion.
Profile of the New Mayor
Ruparani Nikam, who is serving her second term as a corporator, is the wife of Sangramsinh Nikam, a close associate of Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik and MLA Amal Mahadik. Her selection is notable as the mayor post was open to OBC category candidates, and the BJP opted for her leadership. She is anticipated to hold the position for approximately fifteen months before potentially stepping down to allow other Mahayuti corporators to assume the role.
Vision and Priorities for Kolhapur
Upon her election, Mayor Nikam expressed pride in becoming the first BJP and Mahayuti mayor of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation. She unveiled an ambitious agenda focused on citizen engagement and urban development:
- Launching a 'Mayor at your Doorstep' initiative, with a 'Janata Darbar' scheduled on the 5th of every month at the KMC chowk to address public grievances directly.
- Prioritizing critical issues such as garbage management, water scarcity, and women empowerment.
- Advancing the pending merger of fringe villages into Kolhapur's municipal limits to streamline governance and services.
- Securing state government funds to implement development projects aimed at enhancing the city's infrastructure and quality of life.
This election not only fills a longstanding administrative gap but also sets the stage for a new chapter in Kolhapur's municipal governance, with a focus on proactive leadership and community-centric policies.
