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.