Days of Independents and single member parties holding the key seem to be over in Jharkhand. Once ‘infamous’ for their bargaining power which got sufficient supply of oxygen in the era of fractured mandates, the pre-polls scenario this time has turned difficult for the lot.
This is the reason why well known armies of one man are taking shelters into the laps of different political outfits with wider presence. As many as four Independent MlAs who have been playing or have played hyperactive roles in Government formation and its continuation in the State have joined national or regional parties at the time of polls.
Charma linda who has fought 2009 polls as Independent from Bishunpur Assembly constituency would contest on the JMM’s ticket. linda’s march to known political identities also crosses the TMC when he attempted unsuccessfully to be elected to the lok Sabha this April. Similar is the case with Hari Narayan Rai who has been elected from Jarmundi two times in continuation sans any big banner.
His strategy yielded fruits for him as well when he went on to become Minister in the Madhu Koda’s Government, also led by an Independent and run by numerous similar faces e.g. Kamlesh Singh and Ainosh Ekka throughout its tainted tenure. Now, Rai joined JMM few days ago and has secured ticket from the party.
“The shift is because I realised the importance of a bigger political party. As Independent you cannot execute your plans for the people as you have to follow the ideologies of the party in power,” said Rai who is quite busy in his campaigning.
It is understood that the sense the lone players are getting this time was different from previous occasion in the State. “There is a notion that people want a stable Government for the sake of development and have realised the nefarious role played by these people. The Independents have been enjoying power without any sense of responsibility and this had happened as both the Assembly polls yielded fractured mandates. When the voters see a series of decisive results coming at the Center and other States underwent polls recently, chances of similar outcome are also in Jharkhand. They know that such a situation negates the politics of their kind,” thinks Professor Ramesh Sharan.
Another Independent Bidesh Singh who still enjoys red beacon in the Hemant Soren Government in the lieu of his outside support also joined the Congress to contest from his traditional seat Panki.
“I am impressed with the policies of the Congress and it is the only party that can do overall development. It is nothing to do with my winning. I would have won as Independent as well,” said the MlA.
Mandar MlA Bandhu Tirkey who has served as Cabinet Minister in the earlier Government opted for the Trinamool Congress this time by merging his lesser known Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch into it.
Also the hosts of leaders with some kind of support base are opting for any banner instead of going alone. That is why leaders like Dulal Bhuiyan are coming out daily with the membership of a new party after getting denied ticket.
It is not the only such leaders are searching for greener pasture for themselves but political parties have also embraced them for securing a win. The Congress after snapping its ties with the JMM had not winnable candidate form Panki and put its money on Bidesh Singh, the strongman of the area.