SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, January 29: Senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Agrawal on Thursday filed his nomination papers for the post of Mayor of the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC) on the first day of the civic body elections.
A former mayor of Dhanbad (2015–2020), Agrawal began his nomination procession from Jharia Shyam Khatu Temple. After offering prayers at the famous Shakti Mandir on Joraphatak Road, he reached the new Collectorate building to file his nomination.
Notably, no senior leader from the BJP accompanied him during the procession.
‘Civic Elections Are Party-Less’
Speaking to reporters, Agrawal—considered close to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das—said that municipal elections are essentially party-less in nature.
“I will get support from all sections of society to develop Dhanbad as a dream city,” he said.
When asked about multiple BJP leaders seeking permission from the party’s state high command to contest the mayoral polls, Agrawal termed it a positive sign. “Anyone who wants to serve the coal city should contest. Let the people choose the best candidate,” he added.
Former MLA Buys Nomination Papers
Meanwhile, former three-time Jharia MLA Sanjeev Singh also purchased nomination papers on Thursday to contest the mayoral election.
Sources said Singh has sought permission from the BJP’s newly elected state president Aditya Sahu, though a formal clearance is still awaited. His wife, Ragni Singh, is currently the sitting BJP MLA from Jharia.
In the 2010 civic body elections, Sanjeev Singh—then the Jharia MLA—had played a key role in the victory of his aunt Indu Devi in the mayoral contest.