Nagpur: After nearly four years under administrative rule, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is set to formally return to an elected house, as the first special general body meeting of the newly elected corporators will be held on Friday. The meeting, scheduled at 11am at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Reshimbagh, will elect the mayor (woman), deputy mayor, and appoint 16 members to the powerful Standing Committee.
The last general body elected in the 2017 civic polls — where BJP was firmly in power — was dissolved in March 2022 following the completion of its five-year term.
Since then, the civic body has been run by administrators, with major policy decisions and projects drawing widespread criticism over a lack of public representation and accountability.
Friday's meeting marks a crucial reset for the city's civic governance. Collector Vipin Itankar will preside as the returning officer, while the special meeting was convened by municipal commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari.
The mayoral contest is expected to be one-sided numerically, with BJP enjoying a brute majority in the 151-member house. BJP fielded corporator Neeta Thakre for the mayor's post, while Congress nominated Snehal Thakre. For the deputy mayor's position, BJP nominated Leela Hathibed, while Congress fielded Vivek Nikose.
After the special general body meeting begins, the presiding officer will scrutinise the nomination papers, followed by a 15-minute window for withdrawal. If no withdrawals take place, voting will be conducted immediately.
Corporators have been instructed to carry the notice issued by the election department and a Xerox copy of their election certificate.
The formation of the Standing Committee on the very first day underlines BJP's intent to fast-track control over key financial and administrative decisions. However, there is speculation that Standing Committee formation may not take place on Friday.
For Nagpur, the meeting is more than a routine election — it signals the end of a prolonged administrative phase and the return of political accountability at the civic helm.
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.
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