SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 29: On the final day for nominations, BJP’s Vikash Mahto and Congress’ Ajay Dubey, along with candidates from regional parties and independents, submitted their nominations for various seats in Dhanbad. The elections in Dhanbad are set to take place in the last phase on November 20.
Vikash Mahto submitted his nomination for the Tundi Assembly seat, where he will face current MLA Mathura Prasad Mahto from the JMM.
Meanwhile, veteran Congress leader Ajay Dubey filed his candidacy for the prominent Dhanbad Sadar seat and will challenge the two-time sitting MLA Raj Sinha from the BJP.
Also Read- BJP counters JMM’s emotional planks with development, Hindutva agenda in Jharkhand
Two JLKM candidates file nominations
Besides Mahto and Dubey, other prominent leaders filing nominations included Ashok Mandal and Rustam Ansari of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), led by Jairam Mahto.
Former JMM leader Ashok Mandal submitted his nomination for the Nirsa constituency, where he will face incumbent MLA Aparna Sengupta of the BJP and CPIML’s Arup Chatterjee.
Rustam Ansari filed for the Jharia seat, where he will contest against incumbent MLA Purnima Niraj Singh of the Congress and BJP candidate Ragni Singh.
Also Read- Jharkhand elections: JMM faces setback as Ashok Mandal joins JLKM
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s presence draws attention
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a senior politician from West Bengal and former Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was a key attraction during Ajay Dubey’s nomination for the Dhanbad Sadar seat.
This marked the first time a senior Congress leader from West Bengal joined a nomination event in Dhanbad. District Congress President Santosh Singh was also present, with Chowdhury attributing the delay in finalizing the Dhanbad Sadar candidate to the high demand for the ticket, given the Congress’ promising prospects.
“Since the chance of Congress is better this time, leaders had made a beeline for the ticket”, Chowdhury said.
BJP leaders support Vikash Mahto’s nomination
BJP Executive President Ravindra Rai arrived in Dhanbad to support Vikash Mahto’s nomination for the Tundi seat, accompanied by former MP PN Singh and state executive committee member Ramesh Rahi.
Addressing the media, Rai criticized the Congress for alleged “double standards,” pointing to recent comments by Dr. Irfan Ansari against senior leader Sita Soren, which, he argued, revealed Congress’ lack of respect for women.
