Nagpur: The Halba community — believed to be the largest and influential voting bloc in Nagpur Central assembly constituency — feel being given a short shrift by both the BJP and Congress. With neither of the two big national parties fielding a candidate from their community, they have decided to vote for an Independent candidate this time.
Both BJP and Congress have nominated candidates from this predominant halba constituency and this can tilt the electoral scales against the prospects of the two parties. The BJP has fielded MLC Pravin Datke, while Congress chose Bunty Shelke, both from the OBC community which has sparked resentment within the halba community. For over a decade, BJP's Vikas Kumbhare, a three-term MLA and an influential halba leader, represented the seat with the community's strong backing.
A senior BJP leader acknowledged that this decision risks alienating a crucial voter base, heightening discontent with the party's approach to selection of candidates. Many prominent figures from the halba community have filed nominations as Independents including former Congress corporator Ramesh Poonekar, Raju Dhakate, Yogesh Gonnade, Ashish Gadikar, Dhananjay Dhapodkar, and Motiram Mohadikar. Eventually, only one of these candidates will contest as an Independent halba representative and a final candidate would be chosen at a community meeting on November 2.
"We will not vote for either of the national parties," said Poonekar, highlighting the community's angst against being ignored by the national parties. This decision reflects deep-seated frustration within the halba community. Before the nominations were finalised, senior Congress politicians and halba representatives, including women's wing city president Nanda Parate, Poonekar, and Ashok Dhapatkar, lobbied party leaders in Mumbai and New Delhi, pushing for representation. However, their appeals went unheeded. Congress instead picked Shelke, while BJP fielded sitting MLC Pravin Datke.
The halba community's determination to field an Independent candidate changes the dynamics of Nagpur Central's political landscape.
Beyond Nagpur Central, the HALBA community has a notable presence in other constituencies including Nagpur South, West, South-West, and Umred. Nagpur Central has historically been the only constituency where halba representation in state assembly elections was secured. This lack of community representation may impact the prospects of both parties significantly in the elections.