Ranchi Civic Polls: Can JMM and Congress Share the Mayor Seat, or Will Alliance Crumble?

Ranchi: Unity of the ruling alliance parties will be under test in the civic body polls scheduled on Febuary 23 as both JMM and Congress are eyeing to support their party candidates for the mayoral post in Ranchi.Meanwhile, the ruling alliance of JMM, Congress, and RJD are also vying to prop up candidates for the posts of mayor and councillors having allegiance to them in other civic body areas too. But with Ranchi being the state capital, the fight for mayoral post is expected to be fierce. Multiple names from both JMM and Cong camps have started doing the rounds for the post of mayor.Chief minister Hemant Soren had asked senior office bearers of his party to shortlist candidates for the 48 civic bodies which will go to polls, before heading to Davos and UK on an official tour. The identified candidates will be backed by JMM, though the polls aren’t on party lines.After leading the alliance to a thumping victory in the 2024 assembly polls, JMM would be eyeing to consolidate itself in urban pockets through the civic body polls.Earlier, JMM spokesperson Surpiyo Bhattacharjee conceded that they had begun ground works to ensure that candidates having allegiance to them or with their line of thinking for development will get the party’s backing.“While civic body election isn’t directly on party lines, JMM has begun identification of potential candidates for all posts, who believe in JMM’s idea of development,” he said, adding that others (read alliance parties) should evaluate their strengths before pitching candidates.Congress said they too are fully prepared for the civic body polls to ensure that their karyakartas get maximum backing.Congress spokesperson Rakesh Sinha ruled out any immediate possibility of meeting of alliance partners to decide on candidates. “All are free to back candidates of their own choice. For the post of mayor in Ranchi, former mayor and our party karyakarta Rama Khalkho has announced to contest,” he said.RJD said they were ready to fight with full force. “Directions have been given to all district presidents to identify candidates to offer support and strength in the election. If the two alliance partners wish to have talks and has anything to offer, keeping everyone’s interest in mind, we will welcome it. Else, RJD is fully prepared on its own,” said party spokesperson Kailash Yadav.