The campaigning in 70 wards of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) going to polls on May 17 drew to a close on Tuesday with a hint of swashbuckling contests in a few seats.

At least four sitting councillors, including mayor Afzal Imam, his predecessors Sanjay Kumar and Krishn Murari Yadav, and former deputy mayor Santosh Mehta, are poised for some anxious moments till the results are out. While the BJP loyalist Sanjay Kumar’s challengers owe allegiance to the same party, overconfidence could prove costly for Krishn. Two contenders from the minority community could make a dent in JD(U) loyalist Imam’s vote share.

Besides Mohammad Mahmud and Mohammad Fazal, strongman Bablu Yadav could pose a stiff challenge to Imam’s poll prospects in ward number 52. But Imam differed. “I had defeated my nearest rival by over 2,600 votes in the last elections when five other Muslim candidates were in the fray. This year, I am sure of victory with a bigger margin given the development works I have undertaken as a councillor and then as a mayor,” he said.

Like the previous time, ward number 1 is also poised for a keen contest. Sitting councillor and BJP loyalist Sanjay Kumar Singh, who had won by just one vote in the last civic elections in 2007, would face a tough challenge from his fellow partyman Yashwant Kumar Sinha. Victory could be an uphill task again for Singh. “Water supply has remained a major concern in the area and Singh has failed to fulfil people’s expectations. Sinha, on the other hand, is a grassroots worker and has a large following in the locality,” said a local BJP leader.

In ward number 39, where elections will be held on May 22, three local BJP heavyweights, including former mayor Sanjay Kumar, are pitched against each other. Sources said the party’s effort to stop Suman Kumar and Arjun Prasad, the two main rivals of Sanjay Kumar, from throwing their hat in the poll ring went in vain.

“The party activists in the locality are divided. It would be interesting to see who sails through the poll storm,” said a source in the BJP.

Sitting councillor of ward number 27 and former mayor Krishn, a Congressman and known for criminal antecedent, claimed that the seat had been his family stronghold since 1952, when the PMC elections were first held. But few people sniffed the urge for a change among the residents.

“The civic amenities in the area have gone from bad to worse in the past few years. People want a change now. Krishn might not admit in public, but Ajit Kumar Lali and Arjun Mahto will give him a tough fight. Krishn knows the road to victory is very difficult this time,” said Trishit Bhandari, a citizen of the ward.

Krishn is still confident. “My father Gayadeen represented the area for 40 years before I got into local politics in 2002. My accomplishments as councillor and mayor have been remarkable. Only a few will prefer anybody else over me,” he said.

Former deputy mayor Santosh Mehta, two-time winner from ward number 62 and a BJP activist, is sweating it out in the sun to woo voters as Shiv Kumar and Jilaullah Khan have emerged as strong contestants.

Of the 72 wards under the PMC, 70 will go to the polls on Thursday. The district administration is gearing up to ensure free and fair polls.

Election in ward number 39 is slated for May 22. Standing deputy mayor Vinay Kumar Pappu has been elected unopposed from ward number 28.