Former corporators intensify public outreach as civic polls approach
Nagpur: Following the Supreme Court's directive to the Maharashtra govt to conduct municipal elections within four months, former corporators of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) have begun intensifying their public engagement.
While many slipped into dormancy after the elected body was dissolved in March 2022, the poll announcement has revived political activity across the city.
With political temperatures rising ahead of the civic polls, former representatives are actively positioning themselves as people-centric leaders — both through traditional outreach and digital platforms. As the countdown to elections begins, the city's political landscape is rapidly transforming, with ex-corporators reclaiming visibility and attempting to solidify their relevance in the eyes of voters.
In the last general body, the BJP had a commanding majority with 108 corporators. Congress followed with 29 elected representatives, BSP held 10 seats, Shiv Sena had two, and NCP and independents had one seat each. Some ex-corporators stayed active even after the body's dissolution. Former Congress corporator Manoj Sangole, BJP's Pragati Patil, and independent Abha Pande consistently maintained their public presence through welfare work and grassroots campaigns.
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Many former corporators are now organising camps and service drives to reconnect with constituents. In Prabhag 2 in North Nagpur, a two-day voter card registration camp was held at Kapil Nagar Chowk, Nari Road, at the public relations office. The initiative was led by former corporator Dinesh Yadav under the guidance of North Nagpur MLA and ex-guardian minister Nitin Raut. Over 250 voter card applications were processed online and offline.
In Prabhag 32 in South Nagpur, ex-corporator Rupali Thakur, under the leadership of MLA Mohan Mate, organised a welfare distribution camp marking Maharana Pratap Jayanti. Forty citizens received new ration cards, 18 were issued senior citizen cards, and 8 were granted tokens under the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana.
Apart from on-ground activities, ex-corporators are also leveraging social media platforms to amplify their reach and visibility.
A
bha Pande, the lone independent corporator in the last general body, recently updated her account highlighting development works in her former constituency. "Bhoomipujan of several development projects was conducted at Raj Rajeshwari Temple Garden in Shantinagar in the presence of local citizens," she posted, crediting the efforts to her continued commitment as "Majhi Nagarsevika" (former corporator).
Speaking to TOI, Pande said claims that corporators can't function without power are false. "Even after the body was dissolved, I built roads and laid sewer lines," she said. "I approach the administrators with detailed proposals, follow up on files, and ensure that the projects get sanctioned." She added that one of her ongoing projects worth Rs1.48 crore reached the work order stage, with the bhoomipujan scheduled soon.
Like Pande, many ex-corporators said that despite not holding office, they had continued to work from their local offices daily, underscoring that "public service doesn't stop with the posts." MSID:: 121464482 413 |
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