Nagpur: The announcement of chairpersons for all 12 Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) committees by BJP on Tuesday triggered sharp murmurs within the party, with North and Central Nagpur virtually shut out of top decision-making posts.The nominations, finalised in the BJP’s parliamentary board meeting, reflected a clear regional tilt. North Nagpur, where the party has nine corporators — including four women — failed to secure a single chairperson berth. The constituency, represented in the Assembly by Congress MLA Nitin Raut, has long been a weak electoral spot for the BJP. Yet, despite the need for political consolidation, the party didn’t elevate any corporator from the area to head a key panel.Two-time corporator Virendra Kukreja publicly expressed anguish, warning that denying leadership opportunities to North Nagpur — particularly to its women representatives — could further weaken BJP grassroots workers’ morale. He cautioned that such decisions risk reinforcing the perception that the constituency is being politically ignored at a time when strategic expansion is crucial.Central Nagpur, too, found itself sidelined. Despite the BJP having 16 corporators in the assembly segment, none were chosen to head any of the influential committees. The omission raised questions within the local ranks, with some party functionaries privately admitting that bypassing an urban stronghold sent an awkward message.In stark contrast, South West Nagpur, represented by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, secured chairperson posts in three panels, including the powerful standing committee. South Nagpur, represented by MLA Mohan Mate and also the constituency of mayor Neeta Thakre, bagged key portfolios such as water supply and transport. West and East Nagpur are also adequately represented across major committees.Responding to the criticism, BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari said the selections were collectively taken in the party’s parliamentary board meeting. He asserted that corporators from North Nagpur have been accommodated in crucial panels, including the standing committee, and would play significant roles in shaping city policy. “The accusation by Kukreja is baseless,” he clarified.However, the optics of the final list intensified internal debate, exposing fault lines over regional balancing and political strategy within the BJP’s city unit.
