Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a significant demonstration in Dhanbad on Tuesday, voicing strong opposition against the prolonged delay in conducting elections for urban local bodies. The protest took place in front of the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation office, where party workers demanded immediate action from the state government.
Core Demands of the Protesting BJP Workers
The protesting BJP cadre put forth three primary demands. They sought the immediate announcement of election dates for the pending municipal polls. Furthermore, they insisted that these elections must be conducted on a party basis to provide voters with clear political alternatives. A key technical demand was the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) instead of the traditional ballot paper system, aligning civic polls with state and national election standards.
BJP workers directly accused the Hemant Soren-led state government of deliberately undermining democratic institutions by postponing the municipal elections indefinitely. They argued that running municipal corporations through appointed administrators, instead of elected representatives, has severely weakened grassroots democracy.
Levoices Amplify Concerns Over Democratic Deficit
Senior BJP leaders present at the protest elaborated on the party's stance. Former MP PN Singh alleged that the state government lacked seriousness towards democratic values. He stated that the extended delay has deprived citizens of their constitutional right to elect local representatives, crippling local governance. He emphasized that using EVMs, as in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, was crucial for ensuring transparency and fairness.
Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha reinforced the demand for party-based elections, arguing it would offer voters distinct political choices and establish clear accountability for civic issues. Jharia MLA Ragini Singh highlighted that the elections have been pending for nearly five years, leading to widespread frustration among aspiring candidates and causing adverse effects on urban development and essential civic services.
The protesters issued a warning, stating that if the government fails to take their demands seriously and announce a schedule promptly, the BJP would intensify its agitation across the entire state of Jharkhand.
Opposition Parties Counter BJP's Claims
The BJP's demands and protests drew sharp criticism from rival political parties. JMM leader Jaggu Mahto alleged that the BJP's insistence on ballot papers stemmed from a fear of defeat in the civic polls. He claimed that the BJP lacks credible candidates in municipal corporations across the state.
Congress leader Abhijeet Raj echoed similar sentiments, accusing the BJP of attempting to communalise the civic body elections by pushing for party-based contests. He asserted that the BJP, having no substantive development agenda and aware of its weak ground reality, is making unnecessary demands merely to divert public attention from its impending electoral losses.
The standoff in Dhanbad underscores a growing political tussle in Jharkhand over local governance, with the delay in urban polls becoming a focal point for charges of democratic erosion and political maneuvering from all sides.
