Ranchi Mayoral Election Sees Surge in Nominations
The competition for the mayoral position in Ranchi escalated significantly on Tuesday as numerous candidates submitted their nomination papers, indicating a fiercely contested civic election. With Wednesday marking the final day for filing nominations, political activity around the nomination center remained intense throughout the day.
Prominent Candidates Outline Their Visions
Former mayor and Congress worker Rama Khalkho emerged as one of the notable figures to complete the nomination process. In a statement to reporters, she emphasized her commitment to societal betterment, stating, "My aim is the betterment of society as a whole. Urban development must be people-centric, ensuring that civic facilities, opportunities, and dignity reach every section of the population. Accountable governance would be a key focus of my campaign."
Sanjay Toppo, a candidate from Ward No. 3 who also filed his nomination on Tuesday, highlighted his priorities, saying, "Roads and drainage will be my immediate focus so that residents are not forced to deal with waterlogging and damaged streets." He further addressed concerns about anti-encroachment drives, adding, "There are people whose houses are being removed in anti-encroachment drives. Before any such action, proper rehabilitation must be ensured." Toppo also stressed the importance of basic amenities, noting, "Every area should have at least one primary school and a health centre so that affected families are not pushed further into insecurity in the name of development."
Traffic Disruptions Amid High Turnout
The substantial influx of candidates, supporters, and party workers led to significant traffic congestion around the nomination venue. Approach roads remained clogged for hours, causing considerable inconvenience to commuters. Despite police deployment for traffic management, vehicular movement slowed markedly during peak hours, underscoring the heightened political fervor.
Nomination Statistics Reflect Competitive Race
As of Tuesday, a total of 10 candidates have filed nominations for the post of mayor in the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC). Additionally, 197 individuals have submitted their papers for ward councillors across 53 wards, including 118 women candidates. This robust participation signals a vibrant democratic process and sets the stage for a closely watched election.
