Udit Vani, Ranchi: The Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a grand felicitation ceremony for newly elected urban local body representatives supported by the party and its ideological affiliates on Sunday.
The programme was held at Geetanjali Banquet Hall in Chiraundi, Ranchi, under the chairmanship of party state president and Member of Parliament Aditya Sahu.
The ceremony honoured three Mayors, four Municipal Council Presidents, six Nagar Panchayat Presidents, and 387 ward councillors who emerged victorious in the recent urban local body elections across Jharkhand.
Mayors from Ranchi, Medininagar and Adityapur municipal corporations, along with municipal council heads from Lohardaga, Gumla, Mihijam and Chirkunda, and Nagar Panchayat presidents from Khunti, Latehar, Domchanch, Jamtara and Mahagama were among those present.
The event was attended by BJP National General Secretary and MP Arun Singh as the chief guest, along with Union Minister Sanjay Seth, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda, state organisation general secretary Karmaveer Singh, and several MPs, MLAs and party leaders.
The dignitaries honoured the representatives with traditional shawls and bouquets and showered flower petals on them in appreciation of their victory.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the leaders also extended greetings and congratulations to women representatives present at the ceremony.
“Be the Narendra Modi of Your Local Bodies”: Aditya Sahu
Addressing the gathering, Aditya Sahu congratulated the newly elected representatives and urged them to work as the “Narendra Modi of their respective urban bodies” by ensuring that government schemes and development initiatives reach the poorest sections, including those living in slums.
He stated that the conduct of the long-pending municipal elections in Jharkhand was the result of sustained efforts and pressure from the BJP and the judiciary, alleging that the state government was reluctant to hold the polls.
Sahu claimed that the election results reflect growing public support for the BJP and said the party would continue its momentum to usher in a “new dawn” in Jharkhand.
He also criticised the state government led by Hemant Soren, accusing it of corruption, administrative failures and deteriorating law and order.
Sahu alleged that the administration and police machinery were misused to defeat BJP-backed candidates in some places and warned that the party would intensify its agitation against the government both on the streets and in the legislature.
“Urban Voters Gave a Strong Message”: Arun Singh
BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh said the results of the municipal elections delivered a strong message to the state government.
He asserted that had the elections been held on party symbols, the ruling alliance would have suffered a sweeping defeat.
He alleged that the government avoided party-based elections out of fear and conducted the polls through ballot voting to enable misuse of the administrative machinery.
Singh expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in Jharkhand, stating that people were disillusioned with the current administration.
Call for Good Governance
Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda urged the newly elected representatives to establish a new model of governance and ensure that development reaches the grassroots swiftly.
He said their efforts would contribute to achieving the vision of a “Developed India.”
Meanwhile, National President of the BJP Scheduled Tribe Morcha Sameer Oraon congratulated the winners and said the victories in regions such as Gumla, Lohardaga and Khunti reflect the strong grassroots base of the party.
The programme was anchored by BJP state vice-president Rakesh Prasad, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Ranchi East district president Dheeraj Mahato.
Several party leaders and office-bearers were also present on the occasion.
