Nagpur civic polls: Mother of four in fray despite Maharashtra’s two-child norm

Under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships (Second Amendment) Act of 1995, individuals with more than two children are disqualified from contesting municipal elections.

Waghmare, however, remains in the fray as her nomination was accepted during scrutiny.

Polling for elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including Mumbai, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16.

Nagpur holds particular political significance as it is the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The BJP had controlled the Nagpur civic body for three consecutive terms until the last elections in 2017.

Waghmare is contesting from Ward 36 in southwest Nagpur on a Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) ticket. As questions mounted over her eligibility, she said she was unaware of the two-child norm and placed the responsibility on election officials.

“I am a first-time candidate and have studied only up to Class 12. There was no reason for me to know this rule. Had I known, I would not have applied,” she told NDTV. “My nomination was accepted. I should not suffer for a mistake that is not mine. I will stay in the fray, come what may.”

Asked about possible legal challenges if she wins, Waghmare said the matter should be addressed to the officials who cleared her nomination. “If an official accepted my form, I should not be made to suffer needlessly,” she said.

A small catering business owner and social worker, Waghmare enjoys local support, particularly among women. She said she decided to contest after repeated civic problems in her area, including chronic drainage issues and flooding during heavy rainfall, were ignored by previous representatives.

“My people need me. Those we elected earlier never returned to solve our problems,” she said while leaving for a padyatra in her ward.

Nagpur election officer Dr Abhijit Chaudhari said the Returning Officer has been asked to submit a factual report on the matter. “From an administrative point of view, the Returning Officer’s decision is final. Any appeal against it can only be made in a court of law,” he said.

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections are being held for 151 seats across 38 prabhags. Of the 1,374 nomination forms submitted, 80 were rejected during scrutiny, leaving 1,294 candidates initially. After withdrawals, 993 candidates remain in the contest.

Responding to questions about whether the acceptance of Waghmare’s nomination constituted a serious lapse, Dr Chaudhari cited the heavy rush on the final day of nominations and the absence of a gap before scrutiny. “The exact reasons will be clear once the report is submitted,” he said.