Navi Mumbai: The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance filed nomination papers on Friday for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor of the Panvel Municipal Corporation, nominating Nitin Jairam Patil and Pramila Ravinath Patil, respectively, for the posts. The nomination papers were submitted to municipal secretary Nanasaheb Kamthe at the PMC headquarters.With the alliance holding 60 members, including one independent, in the PMC House of 78 corporators, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi having only 18 members, the election for both posts is set to be unopposed. The opposition did not even push its claim for the top posts. A formal election for both posts is scheduled on Feb 10. It may be recalled that Nitin Patil was elected unopposed as a corporator well before the Jan 15 civic polls, and he is now set to become the second mayor of the city. “I will work for the development of the city,” said Patil. The next Panvel mayor post has been reserved for the OBC category.Dr Kavita Choutmol was the first Mayor of Panvel and held the position for 2 consecutive terms of 2.5 years each, from July 2017 to 2022. With the election of Nitin Patil, the Agri community is set to get its first mayor, which is described as historic win for the Agri community and Panvel. He is the general secretary of BJP Raigad district. A term of 1.5-year formula was decided for the posts of mayor and deputy mayor. The BJP Mahayuti won 55 seats, Shiv Sena won 2, and NCP won 2, along with the support of an independent, taking the total to 60 seats and establishing the rule of the BJP Mahayuti again in the PMC. Kasarbhat in Panvel taluka is the native village of Nitin Patil. He served as a nominated corporator earlier. He was described as having experience in the House, an in-depth presentation of issues, and a development-oriented approach, along with extensive public relations and readiness to resolve citizens’ problems. Pramila Patil, treasurer of the Kalamboli unit of the BJP and a social activist, is known as having created an independent identity in Kalamboli politics through her activism. She worked for the economic and social empowerment of women through self help groups, and is known for effectively reaching women through various welfare schemes of the govt due to her understanding of women’s issues and grassroots interaction.
