Tension was writ large on the faces of the candidates early on Friday morning before counting of votes for the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections began.

There were 1008 candidates in the fray for 75 wards of the PMC, while 1,264 candidates were vying for 223 wards covering eight municipal councils.

The counting was held at seven halls of college of AN College.

As the entire Boring Road stretch was barricaded off for counting, there was very thin movement of vehicles on roads. Shops and business establishments had their shutters down. Supporters who had come with candidates had a tough time finding even drinking water.

Inside the AN College campus, however, the district administration had arranged drinking water for candidates and their supporters. There were also stalls selling snacks such as samosas and litti chokha.

The counting of votes started at 8am, and trends were available by 10am. A large number of people had gathered outside the campus, shouting slogans in support of their candidates.

By 10.35am, the results started coming. Chaatiya Devi from ward number 1, which covers the Digha area, was the first candidate to come out flashing the victory sign. Chaatiya Devi, who made her first municipal election debut from the seat reserved for SC candidates defeated her nearest rival, Sanjay Kumar, by a few hundred votes.

"I am very happy that voters of my constituency reposed faith on me. The victory has given me an opportunity to serve for my area," Chaatiya Devi said.

For Pinky Kumari, who was contesting for the second time, the municipal election was more like a family contest. She defeated her sister-in-law Sweta Ranjan by a margin of 401 votes.

"The election this time was tough affair as my sister-in-law Sweta Ranjan was contesting the election," said Pinky.

As the results started poring in, tension began to brew among the supporters of the candidates.

Police personnel deputed outside the college had to intervene twice as supporters of different candidates clashed with each other.

By 12.30pm, results and trends of most of the wards were available. The supporters were discussing about the major setbacks and unexpected victories of some candidates.

"This municipal election has thrown up major setbacks," said Arjun Rai, supporter of Ramanand Sharma, a candidate from ward number 7. "We never imaged that Abhalata, who was contesting from ward number 8, and Hemlata Verma, candidate from ward number 5, will be defeated."

Hemlata is a BJP leader who is part of the party's state executive.

Though the civic elections are not contested on party lines, all major political parties such as the RJD, the JDU and the BJP backed candidates of their choice.

Sources said that the results for the elections to the PMC were a setback for the BJP as many candidates the party supported have lost. Many losing candidates claimed that BJP-backed candidates had a dismal performance in the election as party cadres did not help their candidates.

The district administration had put a ban on victory processions, so there was not much jubilation among the winners. However, the winning candidates celebrated their victory in their areas.

FRESH FACES, NEW DIRECTION

From an engineer to a former domestic help, from a theatre artiste to a play school owner, the Patna Municipal Corporation elections have thrown up some new faces as ward councillors. Shuchismita Chakraborty spoke to a few of them. 

Asfar Ahmad councillor of ward number 40     
Background: The son of former MLC Anwar Ahmad has a year-and-a-half’s experience as a systems engineer with Tata Consultancy Services. He runs an institution in Sabjibagh that offers bachelor of computer applications degree. 
Qualification: Bachelor of engineering from Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra 
Priority focus: “There are sanitation-related problems in my ward apart from drainage issues which trigger waterlogging. The roads too are in poor condition,” said Ahmad. 

Usha Devi councillor of ward  number 61    
Background: Used to work as a domestic help. Husband Sudarshan Choudhary is a farmer. Former councillor of ward number 61 and deputy mayor Roop Narayan Mehta fielded Usha from the ward after the seat was reserved for a woman candidate. 
Qualification: Studied up to Class VIII 
Priority focus: “I will try to complete the unfulfilled works of the previous councillor. Work on construction of an indoor stadium, beautification of pond and construction of roads is pending in my ward,” said Usha. 

Madhu Chourasiya councillor of ward number 2     
Background: Wife of outgoing councillor Deepak Kumar Chourasiya and sister-in-law of Digha MLA Sanjeev Chourasiya. Runs the Natkhat Play School 
Qualification: BCom graduate
Priority focus: “The condition of slums in my ward is pathetic. Drinking water is another problem area with very few hand-pumps functional. I will get hand-pumps installed first and then embark on other civic works,” said Madhu. 

Mahjabeen, councillor of ward number 52    
Background: Wife of outgoing mayor Afzal Imam and considered a strong mayoral candidate. Her husband 
campaigned for her. Afzal nominated her after the seat was reserved for woman candidate. 
Qualification: PhD in Urdu 
Priority focus: “I will work under the patronage of my husband. This is not my win but my awam’s (people’s) win. The necessities of the people in my ward people will be taken care of,” said Mahjabeen. 

Shweta Rai, councilor of ward 14        
Background: Wife of former councillor Avinash Rai, who fielded her from the ward reserved for women
Qualification: Masters degree in social work 
Priority focus: “I am inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of cleanliness. I will ensure cleanliness in my ward. I will complete the work left by my husband in this ward,” said Shweta. 

Indradeep Kumar Chandravanshi, councillor of ward 48    
Background: Theatre artiste associated with Nirman Kala Manch group. Used to conduct plays in slum areas to educate masses about social issues. Younger brother Praveen, a drama teacher in a city school, was murdered 13 years ago. Later, a road was named after him in Saidpur. 
Qualification: Graduate
Priority focus: “I will keep educating people through plays but as councillor my priorities will be solving the water crisis in my ward apart from solving the problems of BPL and ration card-holders,” said Indradeep.