Deeper pockets, louder campaigns as ex-corporators re-enter fray with bulging wallets

Nagpur: Asset declarations filed for the upcoming NMC elections show a sharp rise in the personal wealth of several former corporators returning to the civic fray, underscoring how municipal contests are increasingly being fought with deeper pockets. An analysis of affidavits by TOI reveals significant accumulation of assets since the 2017 polls, even as campaign spending on publicity, outreach and logistics has visibly escalated across the city.Among the biggest gainers is BJP leader Virendra Kukreja, who declared assets of nearly Rs94.95 crore this year, a steep jump from Rs16.76 crore in 2017. The surge places him among the wealthiest candidates in the race and highlights the growing financial muscle behind civic campaigns.
Former mayor Maya Ivante of the BJP declared assets of Rs4.06 crore, up from Rs2.9 crore in 2017. BJP veteran and local strongman Narendra ‘Balya' Borkar reported assets worth Rs5.17 crore, more than double his declared wealth of Rs2.40 crore in the last civic polls.NCP leader Abha Pande also reported higher assets, declaring wealth worth Rs3.68 crore compared to Rs3.34 crore eight years ago. Pande had won the previous election as an independent and is now contesting on an NCP ticket, reflecting a broader trend of returning corporators entering the fray with stronger financial backing.BJP leader Dharmpal Meshram, who is also the deputy chairperson of the State Scheduled Caste Commission, declared assets of Rs4.65 crore, up from Rs3.13 crore earlier. Congress candidate Bhutto Zulfikar Ahmad showed a significant rise as well, with assets now at Rs1.09 crore compared to Rs21 lakh in 2017.Congress leader Bhavna Lonare's affidavit reflected one of the sharpest increases, with declared assets rising to Rs1.37 crore from Rs21.20 lakh eight years ago, highlighting how political re-entry is often accompanied by enhanced personal wealth.Not all candidates followed the upward trend. Duneshwar Pethe of the NCP (SP) reported a decline in assets, with his wealth falling to Rs12.49 crore from Rs13.91 crore in 2017, making him a rare exception.Taken together, the affidavits point to a clear pattern of former corporators re-entering the NMC polls with substantially greater financial resources than before, even as campaigning across Nagpur grows bigger, louder and more expensive.