ULB polls: A lot in stake for candidates

Patna: Campaigning for the urban body polls came to a halt after the high court issued a directive to put the elections scheduled on October 10 and 20 on hold. The order came barely a week before the local bodies elections are scheduled on October 10.
No large gatherings are now being allowed in various wards falling under the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC).Candidates also lament the postponement of polls as they had already spent huge amount for the campaigning process.
“The zeal and energy with which the candidates were campaigning has literary vanished. Many have spent huge amount on campaigning, including advertisements and organising meetings. Now they will have to re-invest when the new dates are announced ,” a ward councillor said on the condition of anonymity.
Ankit Gupta, who is into printing business, said soon after the order of the high court on Tuesday, clients called up to stop printing work. “Those who were in the fray in the first phase had got almost 100% of their posters and banner work done and those who were supposed to contest in the second phase, asked us not to proceed with work,” Gupta said.
Wife of former mayor Afzal Imam, Mahjabeen Naz, who was trying her luck for the post of Patna mayor said though there will be no rigorous campaign, but she will continue to meet people.
Mala Sinha, who was representing ward No 44 previously and was contesting again from the same ward added there will be no more campaign using e-rickshaw and auto-rickshaw, but meetings will continue.