Many people regret not having their names on the voter list in these wards.
(The level of expenditure by candidates in some wards was so high that even Girish Devangan, who contested against former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh, might find it shocking).
Rajnandgaon – In the Rajnandgaon Municipal Corporation elections, the public is more interested in the outcome of three specific wards rather than who will become the mayor. The major focus is on the elections of city Congress President Kulbir Chhabra from Ward No. 24, Hafeez Khan from Ward No. 13, and the central Ward No. 37. Sources suggest that the distribution of incentives in two of these wards has been so significant that even Girish Devangan would be shocked.
Kulbir Chhabra has been winning elections in his ward with record margins for the past five terms. He has also served as the city Congress president for the last five years and remained highly active in this role. It was widely believed that he would receive the mayoral ticket from the party and give the BJP a tough fight, but he was instead given a councilor ticket again. Additionally, the PCC temporarily relieved him of his city Congress president duties, appointing Ramesh Dakaliya as the acting president in his place.
Chhabra’s popularity in his ward has been so strong that he has consistently won with record votes. However, this time, he faces tough competition as the BJP has fielded his community member Sanky Bagga, a former All-India Rank officer who resigned from his service to enter business and politics. Many residents of other wards regret not being on this ward’s voter list, given the distribution of freebies. The level of expenditure by candidates in such wards has been so high that even Girish Devangan, who contested against former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh, might find it shocking.
The political discussions in the city are intense, with the key question being whether Chhabra will continue his winning streak or face an unexpected defeat. This will be revealed on February 15.
Similarly, Hafeez Khan, the second stronghold leader of Congress, has maintained a strong grip on his ward, consistently winning elections. His influence is so strong that in the last election, he fielded his associate Samad Khan, who also won with a massive margin. In this ward, the name “Bhai” is enough to secure victory. While the BJP has attempted to challenge him by organizing a rally with Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai in the Gaurinagar area, there have been fewer reports of incentives being distributed here compared to other wards.
Now, turning to Ward No. 37, located at the heart of the city, where a significant Marwari population resides. More than half the voters belong to the middle-class and lower-income groups, with a slum area (Dabri Para) comprising around 300 voters. Here, the use of financial incentives has reportedly broken records. Many people from nearby wards regret not being on this ward’s voter list, as they could have benefited from the “flowing Ganges” of incentives.
The key reason for the extensive use of monetary influence in these wards seems to be that the candidates from both Congress and BJP are financially well-off and socially prestigious. For them, holding a public office is a matter of pride and recognition rather than financial gain. Securing a councilor seat could also open doors for the Corporation Chairman position, making the victory even more rewarding. The key which enabled them to secure the corporator ticket can also be fruitful as usually observed.
At present, the biggest question and curosity in Rajnandgaon’s political circles and among the public is not “Who will become the mayor. The question and curosity among such persons is “who will win these aforementioned three crucial wards”?
