Rolling dice with rival groups, discussion on tight security and a close vigil on six strong rooms at Pandra Krishi Bazaar Samiti housing fate of candidates for Ranchi parliamentary constituency, political parties’ representatives stand guard at the gate of the Samiti with little resources only for the sake of their leaders.
The district administration has allowed political parties to station a maximum of six agents near the main entrance of the fortified area. Through, the heat mirages they comfortably watch rippling strong rooms from the only makeshift tent erected in the area and randomly take turns to prevent unfavourable situations together with the security guards.
“Humlogo ko bola gaya tha ki verandah main jagah bana lene ke liye lekin yehan se ander aur bahar dono taraf dikhai deta hai (We were asked to make arrangements on the verandah inside the enclosed area however we preferred at the gate because we can watch people coming and going out of the area),” said agent of JVM(P), Kuldip Kumar.
Interestingly, except the JVM(P) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), other parties don’t look too concerned about the safety of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) that was understandable by the absence of their agents and the candidates who safely ensconced in their comfort zone are waiting to drop-in on the day of the counting.
“There is no one from the Congress or the TMC. Once Bandhu Tirkey had come and someone from the Congress also came once. Their agents left as soon as their leader left. Ram Tahal Chaudhary had come to enquire about conditions and sometimes party’s local workers come to know our situation,” said BJP’s agent, Navin Kumar Mahto.
Even as they are keeping an eye on the strong rooms, whether the sun would shine brighter on their candidate or not does not look to be their cup of tea. Thanks to candidates of all shades that jumped the poll fray, rolling the dice on ludo board and predicting the score seemed lot easier than predicting the winner of what appears to be a close contest.
“We don’t discuss winner. Bahut votekatwa lada hai is election main is liye kuch kaha nahin sakte ki kaun jitega. (There are many who would play spoilsport in this election so can’t say who will win the election),” said another BJP agent, Dharmendra Singh.
Although the job is full of monotony, party workers sometimes enter into discourse with security guards standing opposite to them counter ennui. light hearted banter about people visiting the area whether intended or not keeps their mood fresh.
“Sometimes they ask us whether to allow any person in the fortified area. They also seek our opinion on whether allowing a person would affect them or not. What is interesting is that they doing their job with sincerity,” concluded Kumar, the lone JVM (P) party worker.
Sometimes, the loyal party workers crack a joke about their salvation from the tough duty being given to them by their masters. “We will not be relieved until our candidate wins,” said a party worker in lighter vein.