Campaigning gains momentum for civic body polls

Ranchi: Campaigning for the upcoming civic body elections scheduled on Feb 23 gathered momentum across the state on Sunday, a day after election symbols were allotted to candidates.With symbols in hand, candidates started visiting localities across the city, rolling out door-to-door campaigns in wards and municipal areas, appealing to voters on issues ranging from basic civic amenities to sanitation, drinking water supply and street lighting, among others. Many candidates hit the streets accompanied by supporters to interact with the voters.However, alongside traditional outreach methods, candidates are relying on social media platforms to woo their voters, especially the youth.Mayoral candidate Roshni Khalkho, who is being backed by the BJP, shared several posters featuring the election symbol “biscuit” on her Facebook account.“Today I visited several localities in Ratu Road and Indrapuri areas and interacted with the voters. But in today’s digital age, election campaigning is also witnessing a change. My team is focusing on social media campaigning so that more voters can be reached,” said Khalkho.

Another mayoral candidate, Sujata Kachhap, said that she created several WhatsApp groups to continuously keep in touch with her supporters.“On the first day of the campaigning on Sunday, I visited Dhurwa and Doranda areas in the city and interacted with the voters. I believe both campaigning methods go hand in hand these days,” Kachhap added.Congress-backed mayoral candidate Rama Khalkho too has taken to the social media platform to pace up her campaigning.In the upcoming Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) polls, 11 candidates are in the mayoral election fray, while 167 candidates are contesting for ward councillors’ posts across 53 wards.