Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The election for the standing committee chairman will be held on Thursday. The BJP–Shinde Sena alliance holds a majority with 10 out of 16 members, making it almost certain that the chairperson will be from the BJP. Anil Makriye, a corporator from the Samarthnagar prabhag who has been elected for the second time, is considered the frontrunner for the nomination. Apart from him, Rajgaurav Wankhede, who has been elected for the third time, is also in the race.
Many senior corporators usually prefer not to be part of the standing committee in the first year, as relatively fewer development works come up for approval during that period. Senior leaders also feel that before the administrative system stabilises, the chairman or committee members may have to step down within the first year itself. The selection of standing committee members was completed last week, and the election for the chairman will take place on March 12.
According to BJP sources, the party is likely to nominate Makriye. He has already received a ‘green signal’ at the local level, although the senior leadership has not yet made an official announcement.
Makriye is considered a close associate of other backward class (OBC) welfare minister Atul Save. To maintain strict oversight over the municipal finances, Save is also believed to favour Makriye for the post. Makriye belongs to the OBC category. The only possible drawback is that the mayor also represents the Samarthnagar prabhag, raising the question of whether another key post should go to the same prabhag.
Rajgaurav Wankhede
Wankhede, who has been elected for the third time, is also a contender for the post. He had earlier been in the race for the mayor’s post as well, but the party chose a candidate from the Maratha community for that position. The party is unlikely to nominate another Maratha candidate for the standing committee chairperson’s post. Wankhede’s main strength is that he has been elected for a third term.
Madhuri Adwant
Advocate Madhuri Adwant has been elected for a second term. She has experience in municipal administration and is known for her strong oratory skills. However, her chances depend on whether the party decides to give the post to a candidate from the open category, particularly from the Brahmin community.