Reservation Process Changes Electoral Equations; Parties Begin Preparing for Candidate Selection
Bhilai : The ward reservation process for the upcoming municipal elections in Bhilai, Risali and Bhilai-3 Charoda was completed on Wednesday at Kala Mandir, Civic Centre, under the chairmanship of Durg Collector Abhijit Singh.
The reservation exercise has significantly altered the electoral equations across several wards, with sitting corporators and prospective candidates now reassessing their political options ahead of the civic polls.
Bhilai Municipal Corporation: 23 Wards Reserved for OBCs
Of the 70 wards in Bhilai Municipal Corporation (BMC), a total of 23 wards have been reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). These include:
- 8 OBC women wards
- 15 OBC general wards
- 3 Scheduled Tribe (ST) wards
- 9 Scheduled Caste (SC) wards
- 24 general-category wards
Of the 24 general-category wards, 11 have been reserved for women.
The reservation was conducted through a lottery system, using data from the 2011 Census and the ward blocks created during the 2020 delimitation exercise.
Reservation Alters Political Calculations
The reservation results are expected to have a direct impact on the political calculations of several sitting corporators and aspiring candidates.
New faces could emerge in wards reserved for OBC and women candidates, while sitting corporators whose wards have shifted to reserved categories may explore the possibility of seeking party tickets from other eligible wards.
Political parties are now expected to intensify discussions over candidate selection and election strategy.
Risali Municipal Corporation Reservation Completed
The reservation process for the 40 wards of Risali Municipal Corporation was also completed.
The reservation structure includes:
- 8 OBC wards
- 7 SC wards
- 3 ST wards
- 22 general-category wards
Several seats have also been reserved for women candidates under the applicable reservation system.
Congress Protests During Reservation Process
Congress leaders did not participate in the reservation process and later raised slogans before the Collector in protest.
The Congress district president said that changes in ward reservation were part of the rotational reservation system. The party, he said, would finalise its election strategy and candidates after discussions among senior leaders.
BJP Plans to Contest All Bhilai Wards
The BJP district president said the party would contest all 70 wards of Bhilai Municipal Corporation.
The party is also expected to provide opportunities to active party workers, including young people and women, while finalising its candidate list.
Bhilai-Charoda Reservation Exercise Also Completed
The reservation process for the Bhilai-3 Charoda Municipal Corporation (BCMC) was also completed by late Wednesday evening.
With the reservation process now concluded across the three municipal corporations, political parties are expected to shift their focus towards candidate selection, ward-level preparations and election campaigning.
The reservation exercise is likely to bring considerable changes to the political landscape, particularly in wards where the category has changed and existing aspirants may no longer be eligible to contest from their current wards.
