Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) on Tuesday announced the reservation list for 115 wards ahead of the upcoming civic elections, prompting several political heavyweights and former corporators to rethink their electoral strategies.
The lottery for ward reservations was conducted at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University’s auditorium under the supervision of CSMC Commissioner and Administrator G Sreekanth and Additional Commissioner Ranjeet Patil. The exercise was carried out as per directives from the State Election Commission, which has introduced the Prabhag system for the first time in the city’s municipal polls.
Under the new structure, the CSMC has 29 Prabhags, 28 comprising four wards each and one consisting of three wards, making a total of 115 wards. Of these, 55 wards (50%) have been reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
The break-up includes 31 seats for OBCs (16 for women), 22 for SCs (11 for women), and 2 for STs (1 for a woman). The remaining 60 wards, including 30 for women, fall under the general category. Each Prabhag has been divided into four wards labelled A, B, C, and D, with two in each reserved for women candidates.
Over 125 municipal employees assisted in managing the draw, which was executed by the Election Branch under the guidance of Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Elections). Additional Commissioner Kalpita Pimpale, Deputy Commissioners Nandkishor Bhombe, Aparna Thete, Lokhichand Chavan, and Ankush Pandhare, along with Chief Auditor Shivaji Naikwade, were present at the event.
A large number of former corporators, aspiring candidates, and citizens attended the session. The new reservation list has significantly altered the political landscape, forcing several established leaders to reassess their prospects. Many are now preparing to shift to new wards or realign their campaign strategies ahead of the municipal polls.
Reservation Details
Category: ST — Seats: 1 — Total Wards:
Category: ST (F) — Seats: 1 — Total Wards: 02
Category: SC — Seats: 11 — Total Wards:
Category: SC (F) — Seats: 11 — Total Wards: 22
Category: OBC — Seats: 15 — Total Wards:
Category: OBC (F) — Seats: 16 — Total Wards: 31
Category: GEN — Seats: 30 — Total Wards:
Category: GEN (F) — Seats: 30 — Total Wards: 60
Total Wards: 115
