Political parties in the State have started drafting their strategies to grab top slots in the upcoming municipal election likely in March-April. Taking into account the recent amendments through the Jharkhand Municipal Regulation - 2017, all important political parties are ready to make a foray in the municipal polls.
After changes in the nature of the reserved seats of Municipal Corporation, Nagar Palika and Nagar Panchayat and the decision to allow polls for the key seats under political banners, several parties are gearing up to give tough competition to each other. According to the leaders of different political parties, the upcoming municipal election will be a major game-changer in deciding the fate, dominance of the parties for the ultimate fight in the Lok Sabha Election 2019.
Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) has decided to fight the election with the aim to ruin the existence of the ruling party. “Attempts are being made to completely destroy the presence of BJP here starting it with contesting municipal election. We will fight the municipal election independently or in coalition with other party or parties will be decided soon. There are more chances that we may fight this election in coalition,” said JVM Spokesperson, Tauhid Alam.
Similarly, party spokesperson of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Vinod Pandey said that the party is set to show its ascendancy in the upcoming municipal election. “By far, JMM is likely to fight the upcoming election independently until any political party agrees on certain terms for coalition. All district committee heads have been told to submit the name lists and details of the candidates who will fight for posts of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairperson etc. After January 31, the scrutiny will be done for choosing the suitable candidates.”
On the other hand, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), this time has decided to fight the election independently. Deo Sharan Bhagat, Spokesperson of AJSU said that several rounds of meeting have been conducted at different levels for drafting out strategies. “Since after knowing about this that the election will be on the basis of political parties, AJSU has decided to contest the upcoming municipal election independently. Details of candidates have been asked from the respective party representatives/heads from different districts.”
Meanwhile, BJP that registers its strong presence at the moment is confident about its victory despite knowing about its rival’s authority at selected districts.
Several persons associated with BJP said that though nothing has been decided now regarding the election but the work undertaken by the BJP workers and representatives will definitely prove fruitful.
After the recent decision that paved the way for contesting election independently besides clearing reservation issues for the post of Deputy Mayor, Vice-President, candidates as well as the political parties have heaved a sigh of relief. Also, contestants for the post of Mayor can contest election without any political backup.
Deputy Mayor, Sanjiv Vijayawargia whose ward has been reserved for a woman candidate, said, “According to the new notification, now for the post of Deputy Mayor, one can contest the election independently and so for other posts too. The decision has opened up several options.”