The Times of India 29.04.2013
Ruling group set to sweep mini-mayor elections
NAGPUR: The mini-mayor
polls to kick-off at Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) from Monday and
see a cake-walk for the ruling group. The BJP-led ruling groupNagpur Vikas Aghadi (NVA) is set to emerge victorious in eight zones while Congress and BSP will have to remain satisfied with one zone each.
However, Congress led opposition group is likely to challenge the polls with the administration refusing to increase the number of zones as per the act.
According to bylaws, the term of zone chairperson, also known as mini-mayor, is for one year. This will be the second year of the system. The proceedings to elect chairperson of Laxmi Nagar, Dharampeth, Hanuman Nagar, Dhantoli and Nehru Nagar zones will be conducted on Monday followed by remaining five zones-- Gandhibagh, Satranjipura, Lakadganj, Ashi Nagar and Mangalwari on Tuesday.
With clear majority at NMC, the NVA won eight of total 10 zones last year. With situation continuing to be the same, the elections will probably be unopposed. The first eight zones will continue to be with NVA while the BSP will romp home Ashi Nagar and Congress in Mangalwari zone.
The only point of interest in the polls would be what zone the group of independent corporators supporting the ruling group opts for. Right now their representative it is Meena Choudhary in Dharampeth Zone. "Corporator from Ambazari ward Parinay Fuke has refused to become the zone chairperson and is pressing for Muna Pokulwar from Dhantoli zone," sources said.
Sources in the BJP said Laxmi Nagar zone chairman Gopal Bohare may be repeated following his satisfactory performance. "Bohare may continue unless NVA deputy leader Munna Yadav claims the post. Corporator from VNIT ward Ashwini Jichkar is likely to be selected to head Dharampeth zone. BSP has decided on the name of Gautam Patil for Ashi Nagar zone," sources said.
Leader of opposition Vikas Thakre said the administration was conducting the elections wrongly. "There should have been 13 zones instead of 10 according to provisions in new Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (MMC) Act. We will register our protest with the State government and demand that the elections be declared illegal," he said.
However, Congress led opposition group is likely to challenge the polls with the administration refusing to increase the number of zones as per the act.
According to bylaws, the term of zone chairperson, also known as mini-mayor, is for one year. This will be the second year of the system. The proceedings to elect chairperson of Laxmi Nagar, Dharampeth, Hanuman Nagar, Dhantoli and Nehru Nagar zones will be conducted on Monday followed by remaining five zones-- Gandhibagh, Satranjipura, Lakadganj, Ashi Nagar and Mangalwari on Tuesday.
With clear majority at NMC, the NVA won eight of total 10 zones last year. With situation continuing to be the same, the elections will probably be unopposed. The first eight zones will continue to be with NVA while the BSP will romp home Ashi Nagar and Congress in Mangalwari zone.
The only point of interest in the polls would be what zone the group of independent corporators supporting the ruling group opts for. Right now their representative it is Meena Choudhary in Dharampeth Zone. "Corporator from Ambazari ward Parinay Fuke has refused to become the zone chairperson and is pressing for Muna Pokulwar from Dhantoli zone," sources said.
Sources in the BJP said Laxmi Nagar zone chairman Gopal Bohare may be repeated following his satisfactory performance. "Bohare may continue unless NVA deputy leader Munna Yadav claims the post. Corporator from VNIT ward Ashwini Jichkar is likely to be selected to head Dharampeth zone. BSP has decided on the name of Gautam Patil for Ashi Nagar zone," sources said.
Leader of opposition Vikas Thakre said the administration was conducting the elections wrongly. "There should have been 13 zones instead of 10 according to provisions in new Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (MMC) Act. We will register our protest with the State government and demand that the elections be declared illegal," he said.
