Nagpur: Senior BJP corporators, who failed to secure key positions in the civic body, are now eyeing an appointment as a trustee in the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) under the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) quota. Most of them are lobbying through MLAs and senior party leaders to strengthen their chances.According to sources, the issue will be discussed at the BJP core committee meeting to be held on Tuesday. Sources added that the name is likely to be finalised during the meeting. As per provisions of the NIT Act, 1936, one member from the NMC is appointed as a trustee under Sections 4(1)(d) and 4(5).Corporators from South-West, South, and East Nagpur have already secured significant representation in the NMC through posts such as mayor, deputy mayor, and membership in the standing and other committees.The developments led to allegations that BJP corporators from North and Central Nagpur have been overlooked. As a result, corporators from these constituencies are staking claim to the NIT trustee post.North Nagpur has a large number of NIT layouts, strengthening the claim of corporators from the area. However, the BJP core committee will ultimately decide the name of the trustee.At present, Krushna Khopde, MLA from East Nagpur, serves as a NIT trustee. Earlier, South Nagpur MLA Mohan Mate held the post. Insiders claim that chances of corporators from East or South Nagpur being appointed as NIT trustee are slim.“The possibility of appointing someone from West Nagpur is low after Maya Ivnate was nominated for Rajya Sabha from the constituency. As a result, corporators from North or Central Nagpur are seen as stronger contenders,” a source said.However, there is also speculation that the party may opt for a new face from South-West Nagpur. Shivani Dani, who was elected as the standing committee chairperson from the constituency, is already an ex-officio trustee of NIT.The frontrunners for the NIT trustee post include second-term corporators Mahendra Dhanvijay from North Nagpur, Vikram Gwalbansi from West Nagpur, Vijay Zalke from South Nagpur, and Jitendra Kukde from East Nagpur, along with first-time corporator Ramesh Bhandari from South-West assembly constituency.
