Nagpur: Holi brought an unexpected political gift for former mayor Maya Chintaman Ivnate, and Vidarbha, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominated her for the Rajya Sabha (RS) elections from Maharashtra. She is the first woman who has been be nominated for election to the Upper House of the Parliament from the region.
Fresh from winning the January 2026 Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) election, Ivnate could scarcely anticipate a call to the RS, a development party insiders describe as both surprising and strategic.
By choosing Ivnate, a prominent tribal leader from Vidarbha, BJP reinforced its outreach among Scheduled Tribes while strengthening regional representation in Parliament. Soon after the party's Central Election Committee cleared her name, Ivnate left for Mumbai on Wednesday to complete the nomination formalities.
A veteran BJP functionary, Ivnate remained actively associated with the party organisation in Nagpur and at the state level for several decades, holding key responsibilities within the city and Maharashtra units. She was mayor from December 15, 2007, to December 23, 2009, and built her political career through sustained grass roots engagement and organisational work.
She was first elected corporator in 2002, and returned to the NMC House in 2012. In 2026, she won the Prabhag 12 seat as BJP candidate. She was declared chairperson of NMC's fire and emergency services committee. The election of the panel is slated for March 6.
Ivnate also served as a member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, reflecting her engagement with issues concerning Scheduled Tribes. Within BJP, she worked as a state vice-president and handled various organisational assignments.
Among the 78 women corporators in the 151-member NMC House, Ivnate is one of the two who from an open seat, defeating male candidates, a factor that adds to her political credentials.
BJP's Maharashtra list also features Union minister and Republican Party of India (A) chief Ramdas Athawale, who is set for another term, along with Vinod Tawde and Ramrao Wadkute.
According to the Election Commission of India, polling for the Rajya Sabha elections will be held on March 16, with counting on the same day. The elections will fill 37 seats across 10 states, including Maharashtra, where members' terms are set to expire in April 2026.
Currently, NCP leader Praful Patel is the lone Rajya Sabha member from Vidarbha. In the past, leaders like Vijay Darda, Dr Vikas Mahatme, Ajay Sancheti and Avinash Pande represented the region in the Upper House.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Holi wishes,
messages and
quotes !
Proshun Chakraborty is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years o...
Read MoreProshun Chakraborty is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience in civic and urban affairs reporting. Currently Editor-Civic Affairs at The Times of India, Nagpur, he leads coverage on municipal governance, public infrastructure, traffic management, RTO affairs, and urban policy shifts. Proshun has built a trusted network across citizens, bureaucracy and political landscape. He is highly respected for his depth in civic journalism and unwavering commitment to public interest reporting. His hobbies include reading, listening to music and travelling.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment