Shahapur: The Shahapur CMC got its first Muslim women chairman as Shehnaz Begum Darban won the election unopposed as Congress nominee. Shehnaz Begum Darban (elected from Wardno 23) is, the wife of former Town Planning Committee chairman Mustafa Darban, belongs to an influential political family of Shahapur City. Her family is seen very close to the MLA SB Darshanapur. As soon as the categories for chairman and Vice Chariman were nominated, Name of Shehnaz Darban, who was among the 3 councillors who qualified in the category started doing rounds. She was eventually nominated as a Congress candidate and she won unopposed. The Seat was reserved for General (women’s) category.

On the other hand, Congress’s BheemaBai Devendrappa of Ward no 16 won by default, as she was the only councilor in ST Category. There was no election held for vice-chairman.

Both Mrs Darban and Mrs Bheemabai were accompanied by MLA SB Darshanapur who later feliciated them when they were declared elected. A large Number of Shahpur’s residents and congress workers attended the program.

The unopposed win is being seen as a Shot in arm to the reigning MLA Shahapur Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, who defeated all the machinations of Opposition ensuring no Councilor of congress drifted towards the BJP. This has also boosted his standing among the Minorities of Shahapur who see this as a defiant stand by the MLA in face of an increasingly assertive BJP.