In Chas, mayor aspirants step up presence on social media

Bokaro: Aspirants have stepped up social media campaigning to the connect with the electorate of Chas Municipal Corporation. With voting less than a month away, and the state election commission having already defined the limits of expenditure, social media blitz has emerged as the preferred choice for campaigning.

The nomination window for the civic body polls opened on Thursday. In the election held 11 years ago, 42 candidates were in the fray for the mayor’s post. The number is expected to increase this year, with several aspirants already declaring their intentions on social media platforms. The civic body has 1.62 lakh electors spread across 35 wards.


Former Mayor Bholu Paswan, one of the prominent faces in the race, has been particularly active online. Sharing visuals of door-to-door campaigns and public meetings, he said, “Social media helps us reach every household directly. People want to see our work and hear our vision without noise and expense.”

Another mayor aspirant, Gopal Murarka, who was in second position in the previous election, has also stepped up his digital presence. “The medium has changed, but the issues remain the same; water, roads, sanitation, and transparency,” he said.

Other aspirants, including Vikas Pandey, owner of a private hospital, said that social media these days has become an important tool to connect with residents. Among those in the race, Gajender Prasad Himanshu and Jamil Akhtar are highly active on social media these days, while Nimai Mahto and Umesh Thakur are also using online platforms to connect with voters, signalling a shift away from traditional rallies and loudspeaker-driven campaigns.

Residents, too, appear receptive to this change. “We can compare candidates, watch their speeches, and even question them through comments,” said Rajesh Kumar, a resident of ward number 2. Another voter, Priya, noted, “Earlier we only saw banners. Now we can judge who is serious and who is just making promises.”

Meanwhile, the State Election Commission has issued strict instructions to prevent defacement of public and private property during campaigning. District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Ajay Nath Jha warned that violations of the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act 1987 will invite penal action.