Unruly scenes of brawl and commotion marked the biennial elections of Kolhan's oldest trade body, the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and
Industry ( SCCI) here on Tuesday evening. The election took place to appoint 11 new office-bearers and 23 executive body members. The office of the trade outfit in Bistupur was abuzz with activity since morning. However during voting in the evening a section of voters clashed over bogus voting. However after interference of the candidates the matter was sorted out. During the AGM out going general secretary of SCCI Vijay Anand Moonka read out the annual report . The AGM was chaired by the new president Suresh Sonthalia, who was elected uncontested. Sonthalia replaced R K Agarwal who is in custody in connection with the 2012 Rajya Sabha cash-for-vote scam.
The polls began at 1 pm under the supervision of six electoral officers — Murlidhar Kedia, R.N. Gupta, Gopal Harlalka, P.S. Sen, Deepak Dokania and Pannalal Gautam. Altogether, 868 SCCI members took part in the election through a secret ballot. The trade body has 1,199 members. The oldest traders body of the state (second in undivided Bihar) SCCI was constituted in 1950 and is the largest body looking after businessmen interest in Kolhan region comprising East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts. Bharat Vasani said that despite hurdles their team has been able to achieve success in the two year tenure.