Seven candidates enter race for Seraikela Nagar Panchayat chairpersons

35 file papers for Ward Councillor posts, 13 for Adityapur Mayor

Mail News Service

Seraikela, Feb 4: The nomination process for the Seraikela Nagar Panchayat elections reached its peak on Wednesday, with the town witnessing heavy political activity, rallies and public processions. For the post of Chairperson, a total of eight nomination forms had been sold, out of which seven candidates submitted their nomination papers by the deadline. Only Vishnu Dev Prasad Singh did not file his nomination.

The candidates who have officially entered the fray include BJP-supported Sumit Kumar Chaudhary, Sanand Kumar Acharya, Jalesh Kavi, Sanatan Munda, Pratap Aditya Singhdeo, JMM-backed Manoj Kumar Chaudhary and Pradeep Kumar Acharya. Throughout the day, Seraikela remained vibrant as candidates arrived at the nomination centre with large groups of supporters, turning the process into a display of strength and public backing.

BJP-supported candidate Sumit Kumar Chaudhary began his campaign by offering prayers at the Bajrangbali Temple in Patnayak Tola. Accompanied by BJP district president Hare Krishna Pradhan and party workers, he undertook a foot march across the town before proceeding in a convoy to file his nomination. After filing his papers, Chaudhary stated that his goal is to establish an ideal Nagar Panchayat with active public participation, guided by the values and discipline of the BJP.

Sanand Kumar Acharya, considered a close associate and political protégé of former Chief Minister and local MLA Champai Soren, also filed his nomination with a large public procession. He sought blessings from his parents, Champai Soren and Baba Bamdev Mahadev at Indratandi before beginning his rally from the Durga Temple premises. After submitting his nomination, Acharya said his priority would be to ensure fear-free governance, end exploitation and achieve all-round development of the Nagar Panchayat area.

Former Vice-Chairperson Jalesh Kavi also entered the contest, filing his nomination after holding a procession through the town. He emphasized development, resolution of public grievances and fulfillment of basic civic needs as his key agenda.

In the ward councillor category, 37 nomination forms were sold, out of which 35 candidates have filed their papers so far. Additionally, the civic poll atmosphere remained charged in the region as 13 candidates filed nominations for the Mayor’s post of the Adityapur Municipal Corporation, indicating a highly competitive election season ahead.