JAMSHEDPUR: The political temperature in the Steel City reached a fever pitch on Monday as the municipal election process entered its fourth day. A massive wave of aspirants converged at the District Collectorate and various urban local body offices, marking the busiest day of the nomination period so far.
Across the district, a staggering 555 candidates have purchased nomination forms to date. Monday was particularly significant as it saw the formal entry of the first two presidential-level candidates into the fray, signalling the start of a high-stakes battle for the leadership of Jamshedpur’s civic bodies.
Mango Municipal Corporation: A Tense “Wait and Watch”
In Mango, a curious situation unfolded for the prestigious Mayor’s post. While election officials waited throughout the day, not a single formal nomination was filed for the top seat. However, the race behind the scenes is intensifying; three prominent figures—Sushila Singh, Sonamoni Soren, and Pratibha Rani—purchased their nomination papers on Monday. This brings the total number of mayoral hopefuls to 20.
While the mayoral race remained quiet, the contest for ward seats exploded with activity. Thirteen candidates filed their papers for various wards in Mango, including notable names like Sushil Kumar Singh (Ward 2), Moumita Chatterjee (Ward 4), and Soni Pandey (Ward 36).
Jugsalai and Chakulia: The First Movers
The electoral bugle was sounded with traditional fanfare in Jugsalai Nagar Parishad. Nilofar Hussain (alias Nilofar) became the first candidate to formally file her nomination for the post of Chairperson, arriving with a significant show of support. Interest in Jugsalai remains high, with 123 people having purchased forms for the 22 wards. On Monday, six ward members, including Kunal Saraf (Ward 3) and Deepak Agrawal (Ward 12), submitted their papers.
In Chakulia Nagar Panchayat, the race for Chairperson also saw its first formal entry. Shilawati Tudu filed her nomination papers, accompanied by a large group of supporters, stirring local political waters. Additionally, seven ward candidates, including Nirmala Mahato (Ward 4) and Nisha Soren (Ward 12), officially joined the race.
High Spirits and Heavy Security
The atmosphere outside the nomination centres was electric, with supporters chanting slogans and celebrating their candidates’ entry. While Mango maintained a more calculated and peaceful pace, Jugsalai and Chakulia witnessed early displays of political strength. To ensure the process remained orderly, the district administration has deployed heavy security forces at all key administrative hubs.
Nomination Snapshot: Day 4
| Municipal Body | Position | Nominations Filed (Mon) | Total Forms Sold (To Date) |
| Mango | Mayor / Councillor | 0 / 13 | 20 (Mayor) |
| Jugsalai | Chairperson / Councillor | 1 / 6 | 123 |
| Chakulia | Chairperson / Councillor | 1 / 7 | 45 |
| District Total | – | 15 | 555 |
