Rebel BJP Candidate Surges Ahead in Dhanbad Mayoral Contest After First Round of Counting
In a dramatic turn of events, the first round of vote counting for the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation concluded on Friday at the Polytechnic College campus, with rebel BJP candidate Sanjeev Singh establishing a significant early lead. This development has set the stage for a fiercely contested mayoral race, drawing intense public and political scrutiny.
Detailed Vote Tally and Candidate Performances
Sanjeev Singh secured an impressive 15,791 votes in the initial round, positioning him as the frontrunner. Former mayor Chandrashekhar Agarwal, who recently defected from the BJP to join the JMM, trailed in second place with 10,524 votes. Meanwhile, the BJP-backed official candidate, Sanjeev Kumar, managed to garner 8,645 votes, placing him third in the rankings.
The early advantage gained by Singh sparked jubilant celebrations among his supporters, who had gathered in large numbers at the camps established on the college premises. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the results began to unfold.
Official Announcement and Additional Candidates
The vote count figures were formally released by Vinod Kumar, who serves as the returning officer for the mayor position and additional collector. This release was conducted with the explicit permission of general observer Robin Toppo, ensuring transparency and adherence to electoral protocols.
According to the first round of counting, other mayoral candidates received the following votes: Amit Kumar Agarwal (671), Akash Dusadh (378), Indu Devi (2,084), Umesh Paswan (430), Kusum Devi (502), Javed Iqbal (470), Dilip Kumar (358), Deenanath Thakur (336), Nawal Kishore Paswan (332), Md Parvez Khan (379), Prakash Kumar (1,516), Binod Kumar Singh (371), Bhrigu Nath Bhagat (378), Mukesh Kumar Pandey (257), Yogendra Pradhan (157), Ravi Chaudhary (728), Ravi Bundela (528), Rajkumar Kanaujia (190), Ram Vinay Singh (265), Rahul Kumar Chauhan (507), Md Rustam Ansari (308), Laxmi Devi (443), Shamsher Alam Ansari (4,173), Shantanu Kumar Chandra (486), Shilpi Sharma (200), and K C Sinhraj (313).
Overall Vote Statistics and Rejection Figures
In total, 55,700 votes were counted during this initial phase. However, 3,980 of these votes were rejected, highlighting the complexities and challenges inherent in the electoral process. The rejection rate underscores the importance of voter education and ballot clarity in ensuring fair and accurate outcomes.
Chirkunda Nagar Panchayat Results
In a related development, Sunita Devi emerged victorious in the Chirkunda Nagar Panchayat election for the post of chairperson. She defeated her nearest rival, Shukla Rai, by a decisive margin of 1,059 votes, securing a clear and commanding mandate from the electorate. This result adds another layer to the broader political landscape in the region, reflecting shifting dynamics and voter preferences.
The ongoing counting process continues to captivate attention, with further rounds expected to determine the final outcome of the Dhanbad mayoral race. Stakeholders and observers remain vigilant as the democratic exercise unfolds, shaping the future governance of the municipal corporation.
