Ranchi Civic Polls Witness Blended Campaign Strategy Post Symbol Allotment
Campaigning for the upcoming Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) elections, scheduled for February 23, gained significant momentum across the state on Sunday. This surge in political activity followed the crucial allocation of election symbols to candidates, marking the formal beginning of the electoral battle.
Traditional Groundwork Meets Digital Outreach
With official symbols now in hand, candidates immediately launched into intensive campaigning across the city's wards and municipal areas. The traditional method of door-to-door visits formed the core of Sunday's efforts, with candidates personally appealing to voters on pressing local issues.
Key concerns raised during these interactions included:
- Basic civic amenities and infrastructure
- Sanitation and waste management systems
- Reliable drinking water supply
- Adequate street lighting and public safety
Many candidates were accompanied by enthusiastic supporters as they hit the streets, engaging directly with constituents to understand their grievances and present their electoral promises.
Social Media Emerges as Crucial Campaign Tool
Parallel to these physical outreach efforts, candidates are increasingly leveraging digital platforms to expand their reach, particularly targeting younger demographics. This dual approach reflects the evolving nature of political campaigning in the digital age.
BJP-backed mayoral candidate Roshni Khalkho demonstrated this strategy by sharing multiple campaign posters featuring her allotted "biscuit" symbol on her Facebook account. "Today I visited several localities in Ratu Road and Indrapuri areas and interacted with the voters directly," Khalkho stated. "However, in today's digital landscape, election campaigning is undergoing transformation. My team is focusing significantly on social media outreach to connect with a broader voter base."
Another mayoral contender, Sujata Kachhap, revealed her campaign's digital infrastructure, having created numerous WhatsApp groups to maintain continuous communication with her supporters. "On this first official day of campaigning, I personally visited Dhurwa and Doranda areas to meet voters," Kachhap explained. "I firmly believe that both traditional and digital campaigning methods complement each other perfectly in contemporary politics."
Congress-supported mayoral candidate Rama Khalkho has also embraced social media platforms to accelerate her campaign's visibility and voter engagement efforts.
Competitive Electoral Landscape
The upcoming RMC polls present a highly contested electoral field. A total of eleven candidates have entered the mayoral race, while one hundred sixty-seven candidates are competing for ward councillor positions across the corporation's fifty-three wards. This substantial number of contestants indicates vibrant democratic participation and suggests closely fought battles across multiple constituencies.
As the election date approaches, candidates are expected to intensify both their physical ground presence and digital campaigning efforts. The blend of traditional voter contact through neighborhood visits with sophisticated social media strategies represents a new paradigm in municipal election campaigning, potentially setting trends for future local body elections across the region.
