Rescinding of mayoral elections may not have affected those with backing of political parties however for those without any political platform financial implications of contesting yet again will require wisdom and a great deal of courage to manage finances for election campaign. Subduing the ambition to contest is a tough task for those with little means to fund elections yet driven by their supporters wish they are ready to take a plunge in the election.
The re-election for the post of Mayor will be held on June 23, about one year after rescinding of the previous elections on grounds of attempts to influence election by money besides mishandling of electronic voting machines (EVM) during counting of votes.“last time my friends had supported me in meeting election expenses. They wanted me to contest so I did but this time chances are very slim that I will contest (unless a party supports me). I don’t want to spend my gratuity for contesting election,” maintained Arun John Prawal.
Prawal, who leading post retirement life as an academician, still depends on his close friends for election funding however is clueless about how to approach friends to meet the expenses. “Still, friends want me to contest. But everything stops at money. lets see if they support me this time or not,” maintained the member of AROX.
Connections might come to the rescue of Prawal but when ambitions of lesser known people depend directly on number of men Fridays around them not everyone is lucky. No one knows this better than Shiv Kumar Kacchap, another contestant to suffer financial loss because of a rescinded election. Kacchap had spent `50,000 which was collected from the members of Sarna Prarthna Sabha. He is the president of the Sabha and is likely to contest again despite financial problems.
“This is an additional burden however like earlier occasion I will contest if my community members will say me to contest. Nonetheless, arranging money will be a tough task for me,” Kacchap mused.
Incidentally, in the absence of any legal recourse on the matter in the event an election is rescheduled candidates’ request were turned down by the State Election Commission. After the polls were rescinded few candidates had approached the SEC to seek a solution so as to avoid the pain of arranging money and contesting again.
“Since we were not at fault so asked the SEC to not punish us by cancelling the elections but to no avail,” added Kacchap.Whistleblower and social activist Durga Oraon however believes that a re-election means additional burden to the exchequer as well hence not wise for candidates to complain about financial burden for contesting again. like other candidates Oraon will also contest election to honour the wish of his supporters. He is likely to file nomination of Tuesday.
“Somehow I will manage funds for contesting election,” asserted Oraon.