Nagpur Mayor: City to Get a Woman at the Helm as BJP Begins Search for New Face

Nagpur is set to have a woman mayor once again, as the post of Mayor of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has been reserved for women from the general category for the current term. With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returning to power for the fourth consecutive time, the party has begun internal deliberations to decide who will become the city’s 55th mayor.

In the recently concluded NMC elections, the BJP secured a commanding victory by winning 102 out of 151 seats. As a result, the party is certain to hold the mayor’s post for the next two-and-a-half years. Following the reservation draw announced by the Maharashtra government on Thursday, it became clear that the mayoral position would go to a woman councillor from the general category.

Reservation Draw Brings Clarity

The Urban Development Department of the Maharashtra government announced reservation details for mayoral posts across 29 municipal corporations. Interestingly, during the previous two-and-a-half-year term in Nagpur, the mayor’s post was reserved only for the general category. Since there has been no reservation for the Scheduled Caste category for over two decades, many had expected the post to be reserved accordingly this year.

However, unlike previous years when reservation details were announced before elections, this time the announcement came after the polls. As a result, all newly elected councillors were keenly watching the outcome of the draw, which has now confirmed that a woman will lead the city.

BJP Weighs Options Among Women Councillors

With the reservation now finalized, attention has shifted to the BJP’s choice of candidate. Of the 102 BJP councillors in the NMC, 54 are women. While several of them are first-time councillors, others bring experience from previous terms.

Party sources indicate that factors such as constituency balance, caste equations, experience, and political strategy will play a role in the final decision. The BJP is also reportedly considering representation based on assembly constituencies while shortlisting potential candidates.

Past Mayors and Women’s Representation

Nagpur has a notable history of women holding the mayor’s office. The city’s first woman mayor, Kunda Vijaykar, served during 1996–97. Between 1999 and 2002, BJP leaders Kalpana Pandey, Vasundhara Masurkar, and Pushpa Ghode held the post. Maya Ivante served as mayor from 2007 to 2009, followed by Archana Dehankar (2009–2012). More recently, Nanda Jichkar served as mayor from 2017 to 2019.

With the upcoming term, Nagpur will once again add another woman to this list, further strengthening women’s representation in civic leadership.

Mayor’s Election Likely Next Week

Following the reservation announcement, the administration is expected to issue an official circular outlining the election process. A general meeting of the municipal corporation will be convened within seven days to complete the selection.

According to administrative sources, if opposition parties choose to field a candidate, a formal election will take place. Otherwise, the new mayor may be elected unopposed. With the end of the administrator-led phase nearing, the election of the new mayor will mark the return of regular civic governance in Nagpur.