The newly-elected mayor of Bhilai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Devendra Yadav and 52 corporators (excluding 14 Independent and 4 BJP corporators) on Monday took the oath of office here.
R Shangeetha, District Collector, Durg administered the oath to the newly-elected mayor and corporators at a function organised at lal Maidan, Power House. Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CGPCC) President Bhupesh Baghel was the chief guest for the function.
Senior Congress leaders, including Charandas Mahant, former Union Minister; Ravindra Choubey, former leader of Opposition; Tamradhwaj Sahu, MP Durg; Arun Vora, MlA, Durg; BD Qureshi, former MlA, Bhilai; Kironmoi Nayak, former Mayor RMC; Pratima Chandrakar, former MlA Durg (Rural) and Neeta lodhi, former Mayor, BMC were specially present on the occasion.
Devendra Yadav, who is the youngest Mayor of BMC, after taking the oath attributed his success to the people of Bhilai and the Congress organisation. ‘My thumping victory was the result of faith of the people of Bhilai on me and the able guidance and cooperation of the Congress Organization. I pledge to work honestly and sincerely for the benefit of the Bhilaians and satisfaction of my senior leaders’, said Yadav.
He further stated that the victory of Congress party in majority of local body elections held recently clearly indicates that the people of Chhattisgarh are fed up with the BJP rule in the State. Presently, the wave is in favour of Congress party in the State and the party would come to power in the forthcoming assembly elections, he said. While expressing his thanks to the youths in particular, Yadav exhorted them to discharge their duties for making Bhilai clean, better and a safe place to live in.
Yadav further added that he will be available round the clock to listen to the grievances of the Bhilains and get it resolved. ‘My priority will be to provide the basic amenities to the underprivileged in particular and the people in general’, said Yadav. Speaking on the occasion, CGPCC President Bhupesh Baghel pointed that the victory of Congress party in 8 out of the 12 local body elections held recently in the state clearly indicates that the wave is in favour of Congress.
Giving a strong message to the party workers, who believe in factionalism, Baghel said that there is no place in the party for such people. The Organisation is on a ‘Cleaning Mission’ and all such elements will be shown the door, said Bhagel further adding that loyal and committed party workers will always have an upper hand in the party.
Besides, he also exhorted the partymen to gear up for the forthcoming assembly elections due in two and a half years and bring back Congress party to power in the State.
In his address, former Union Minister Charan Das Mahant thanked the people of Bhilai for electing a young Mayor to power in BMC. ‘The people of the Steel City has elected a strong, young and dynamic leader, who has a will of steel. I am confident that Devendra Yadav will deliver to the needs and satisfaction of the people of Bhilai, which is also a mini India’, he said.
Arun Vora, BD Qureshi, Ravindra Choubey and Pratima Chandrakar also spoke on the occasion.