The notification for the mayoral election has kicked a race between aspirants for the post for Mayor of Ranchi. As many as four probable candidates including former disgraced mayor of Ranchi Rama Khalkho purchased nomination forms to contest the election.
Other candidates who take nomination forms on Thursday are relatively unknown faces-- Gagan Kacchap and Micheal Ekka— besides one—Arun John Prabal—who had contested previous election as well.
With the four candidates who purchased nomination forms on May 29 the number of persons likely to contest the election has gone up to seven. The remaining three persons who are set to fight the polls are—Varsha Gari, Devi Dayal Munda and Ajeet Oraon.
Going by the faces that have purchased nomination forms to contest the election it appears that the contest will be dominated by same faces who had contested the previous election that was held in 2013. While Gari was backed by AJSU party in last elections Khakho was Congress backed candidate. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is likely to filed Antu Tirkery who was backed by the JMM in previous election also.
Incidentally, Khalkho was dragged in controversy after recovery of money pointed fingers at her and that subsequently became the reason for rescinding the mayoral polls. Khalkho had to spent time in jail in connection with the controversy that also pointed fingers at an influential leader of the Congress.
Another controversial face that is likely to cause ruckus in the ranks and files of the Bhartiya Janta Party is Devi Dayal Munda. Although said to be a non-active member Munda had defied party’s order in last election as well to contest mayoral election.
Nonetheless, no candidate submitted nomination form on May 29.