When in Rome, do as the Romans do. The old saying implies that it is polite, and possibly also advantageous, to abide by the customs of a society when one is a visitor.
The candidates, cutting across the party lines, and fighting parliamentary elections in the Maoist stronghold appear to be chanting the same saying attributed to St Ambrose, one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century.
Ironically, many of the candidates in the State, during electioneering, are even reluctant to use the word — Naxal or Maoists — for extremists. Some of them are also speaking in their favour calling them a by-product of the failed system of the country. “Don’t use the word Naxal or Maoist for them. It may create problems for us as you know very well that the inclination and association of people of this area with them (the extremists),” said a sitting MP who comes from a very sensitive area. “Their support or dislike may make or mar a candidate’s political future,” he added.
Another candidate coming from the worst-hit red rebel zone in the State does not even brand them as extremists and is more afraid of the opponents in the constituency than the so called rebels. “I do not know who they are.... I have not seen any of them even though I keep on roaming in the remote areas quite often... instead, I am quite afraid of my opponents contesting this elections against me... Sometimes they show red faces to me,” said a prominent candidate from Khunti.
Some of the candidates, on the other hand, even advocated in the favour of the rebels calling them a by-product of the failed system. He blamed corruption for the sorry state of the people who, finding no option finally opted for extremism. “The moment corruption is removed from the society; the problem of Naxalism itself will be finished,” said a candidate from Hazaribagh. They are also human beings and sons of the soil as well, who also needs recognition from the society, he added. “Today bribes are taken for providing jobs to the youth in this country on the one hand, and politicians on the other hand, are charging huge amounts for transfers and postings by the Government officials,” he said.
“The officers, who pay bribes for transfers and postings, cannot be expected of doing justice with their jobs. The politicians sitting on the chair should be held responsible for it,” added the candidate.
Bagodar MlA Binod Singh, whose father was killed by the rebels, is also of the view that the red cadres do have impact on the poll results at least in their strongholds. “It is a well understood fact that they have regularly been making an impact on the poll results and the area of their domination generally does not produce any candidate of clean image,” said Singh.
The reports however, suggest that some of the candidates in these lok Sabha elections have also contacted the Naxal organizations to campaign in their favour. Moreover, there are some candidates in the fray also, who have direct links with the red rebels and are getting all support from them.
“A candidate in Chatra happens to be the wife of a Naxal leader whereas in Palamau, a former Naxal is in fray. likewise in Khunti also, one of the candidates is being directly supported by the outlawed PlFI cadres in the area, which is also said to be tacitly campaigning in the favour of that particular candidate,” said a senior police official requesting anonymity.
Candidates in Khunti are not being allowed to enter the Maoists strongholds, which have even issued a circular among the panchayat representatives to vote for a regional party candidate or will have to face dire consequences.