As was predicted, the chairperson of Dhanbad District Board was elected unopposed here on Wednesday. BJP's Baghmara MLA Dhullu Mahto, who has been maneuvering things backstage, finally succeeded in installing Sharda Singh, wife of Shekher Singh, president of Mahuda BJP mandal committee on this post by managing 25 votes out of the 29 of them. who were elected as members of the district board. Sharda was the lone candidate who had filed papers for this post.
Five members including Hasina Khatoon, Veena Devi, Rupa Kumari ,Lakshmi Murmu and Sanjay Singh boycotted the polling claiming that since all was stage managed they were boycotting the polls.
This is for the second time that the Baghmara MLA emerged as kingmaker as the outgoing chairman Robin Gorian too was his choice. This time too things were managed in a similar manner by Dhullu Mahto that he did last time by doling out money and gifts for each of the members who voted for Sharda Siingh.
Most surprising was the visit of BJP state president Deepak Prakash to Dhanbad to congratulate the newly elected chairperson .
Talking to the media the BJP state president said, "People had reposed faith in BJP backed candidates during panchayat elections thus we managed to install our Chairperson."
Dhallu Mahto however, rubbished claims when was asked about money and gifts assured to those who voted for Sharda. He said , "I worked for the party and did only what was instructed to me by party bosses."
Upbeat Sharda when asked about her future plans said, "Dhallu Mahto is my mentor and his suggestions and advice would guide me in my works for rural development and programmes related to women welfare".