The state election commission's proposal to governor Syed Ahmed to hold Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC) polls on May 26 has sent the political temperature soaring with industrialists, politicians and councillors getting ready to join the fray.
This is the first time that voting will be conducted through EVMs in the municipal polls in Dhanbad. A total of 55 councillors and the mayor will be elected if the governor approves the proposed date and the election panel makes a formal announcement. The deputy mayor will be chosen from among the councillors through indirect vote.
The tentative counting date is May 29.
Several old players like Singh Mansion, which is home to Dhanbad's most famous family of power brokers, politicians and businessmen, will not be in the race this time as the mayor's post is reserved for Other Backward Caste candidates while 26 councillor seats are set aside for women.
In 2010, the mayor's post was reserved for women with Singh Mansion bahu Indu Singh bagging the coveted chair.
A tough battle is lined up this time too.
Baghmara MLA Dhullu Mahto, who has a strong presence in colliery areas, declared that he would be fielding his wife Savitri Devi for the mayor's post. "If elected, my aim will be to develop Dhanbad as a model town," Savitri said.
State Executive Committee member of BJP and noted industrialist, Shekhar Agarwal who is also planning to contest election for the post of Mayor said, “though I am willing to serve the people of Dhanbad as I think that the small issues like poor sanitation, scarcity of water can be solved with little effor but I need the permission of party to contest election�
The district administration has already completed preparations for the elections during which a total of 7.58 lakh voters will choose their representatives in the civic body.
"We are only waiting for declaration of the election date as a lot of work like selecting sites for the 923 booths and revising the voter list is over. But addition of names of voters will continue. EVMs will be provided by the state election commission," said additional district magistrate (supply) Anil Kumar Singh, also senior election-in-charge for DMC.
