The May 26 mayor polls in Dhanbad and Bokaro have turned out to be a testing ground for the kith and kin of seasoned politicians with three sons and one daughter-in-law vying for the attention of the over-nine-lakh electorate of the two cities fuming under the stress of failed civic amenities.
In Dhanbad, Awdhesh Yadav, the son of former rural development minister of united Bihar Abo Devi; Dinesh Mahto, the son of former rural development minister Mathura Mahto; and Rajnish Mahto, the son of Tundi MLA Rajkishore Mahto; are hoping to woo voters by banking on their fathers' experience of serving as public representatives.
In Bokaro, Parinda Singh, the daughter-in-law of former MLA Samresh Singh, is also determined to make a difference this time.
Abo Devi's son Awdhesh, who is studying law, won the students' union election of Vinoba Bhave University this year. "I had my first lessons in politics at home," he said about drawing on his mother's experience as a minister to identify key issues of the region.
"I have joined the mayoral fray this year to fight for basic civic facilities like drinking water, health and sanitation in Dhanbad," he said, adding that the execution of the much-delayed solid waste management project would be his priority.
Tundi MLA Rajkishore's son Rajnish is also banking on what he saw and learnt at home. "Unlike the other contestants who are making tall promises about turning Dhanbad into a smart city, etc, I would like to solve the basic issues of traffic jams, water scarcity and power cuts in our area," said the law graduate.
He is also stressing on the effective use of existing resources by promising to work on de-silting Topchanchi Lake and repairing the dysfunctional motors of the Jamadodba water treatment plant.
Former minister Mathura Prasad Mahto's son Dinesh, who is contesting for Dhanbad mayor's post, believes the goodwill enjoyed by his father, who has served as MLA and minister, will go in his favour.
"My father worked with utmost sincerity to solve people's problems. I will also work day and night to resolve issues like water scarcity, poor sanitation and traffic congestion," said Dinesh, who graduated from Law College, Dhanbad.
Samresh Singh's daughter-in-law Parinda is contesting for the post of Chas mayor. "Though I was into teaching, I was always connected to politics because of my association with a political family. Hence, I remained aware of the major issues affecting the lives of people in Chas," Parinda, a PhD in history from Delhi University, said.
Pictures by Pankaj Singh and Gautam Dey
