The tribal dominated Khunti seat is going to witness direct contest between BJP’s tribal face cum former chief minister Arjun Munda and Congress former MLA from Tamar Kalicharan Munda, who happens to be the brother of BJP’s Khunti MLA Neelkant Singh Munda, who is also rural development minister in Raghubar Das’ cabinet.
The Khunti Lok Sabha constituency goes to polls on May 6, along with Ranchi, Koderma and Hazaribag. The LS Constituency covers six assembly constituencies from four districts, including Khasawan from Seraikela, Tamar from Ranchi, Torpa and Khunti from Khunti and Simdega and Kolebire from Simdega district. A total of 11,99,512 electors will cast their vote in the election including 6,01,003 male, 5,98,507 female and two third gender voters. Also, the constituency will witness 22,445 first time voters. In 2014 LS election, the constituency witnessed 66.34% voting.
The Khunti seat has remained BJP bastion for more than three decades, BJP’s Kariya Munda has been representing the seat continuously since 1989, baring 2004, when he lost to Congress candidate Sushila Kerketta. However, this time the contest is not easy as Kariya is not in the fray. Kariya despite being BJP MP had a moderate image due which people from all sections of society, tribals (Sarna, Munda and Christians) used to vote for him.
Eight times MP Kariya, this time was replaced due to age barrier. BJP tribal face and former chief minister Arjun has been made BJP candidate. Arjun started his election campaign from Aamreshwar Dham-the Lord Shiva temple. Arjun on the same also visited Kariya Munda’s residence in Khunti seeking his blessing for victory in election. Arjun for making image makeover also visited his opponent Kalicharan Munda’s mother Radhika Devi seeking his blessing.
On the day of election on May 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to hold a election rally in neighboring Chaibasa district. Sources said that though PM’s rally is at Chaibasa his presence in Chaibasa is likely influence voters in Khunti.
Sources said that coming together of all Mahagathbandhan parties has made Khunti battle tough for BJP candidate. The Congress, JMM, JVM and RJD have come together. Also out of six assembly seats falling under the Khunti Lok Sabha seat, Kharsawan, Torpa and Kolebira assembly seat is being held by Mahagathbandhan parties, while in rest three seats, Khunti and Simdega is being held by BJP candidate, while Tamar seat is held by suspended AJSU party MLA Vikash Kumar Munda.
On Thursday Congress president Rahul Gandhi held an election rally in Simdega the constituency which falls under Khunti Lok Sabha segment.
Sources said the battle of Khunti is also going to tough for BJP as some missionaries functioning in Khunti area have ask minorities to vote for Congress candidate. The seat apart from Munda, Sarna has a sizeable presence of Christians.
Apart from Arjun and Kalicharan Munda, there are nine other candidates in fray for the election in the constituency.
While most of the candidates are seeking votes on the name of development, some of the major issues in the area still remain neglected. Human trafficking has been an age old problem in the constituency with thousands of girls being lured away to metro cities by traffickers with the dreams of good money and lavish lifestyle. However, the reality is always different and the girls end up being exploited physically, mentally and financially.
Member of child welfare committee (CWC) Khunti, Baidnath Kumar said, “There was a time when a girl was missing from every second home in Khunti. In the last two years over 1000 girls were rescued from various cities and more than 127 traffickers were arrested.”
He added, “Every month we deal with at least 10 to 15 human trafficking survivors every month at CWC.”
Lack of drinking water in the villages is another major issue for the voters this time. Bensai Munda, gram pradhan of Jiori panchayat in Murhu block said, "There are many villages in the district including Namkili, Koyel Jorbada, Badiminijkal and others were water crisis is a major concern. In Kojdaon village, people have to travel for 2.5 kilometres every day to get water.”
Illegal opium farming is another major concern in Khunti area. Mahavir Das Goswami, former mukhiya of Murhi panchayat said, “Opium farming is being done illegally in a number of villages as it is easy money for the farmers. Also, the lack of earning opportunities adds to it. Now many women are demanding complete ban on opium farming and this might act as an important factor for the voters while they cast their votes.”
Pathalgadi movement in the area had also led to disturbance in the area and might have some impact on the elections. A gram pradhan said on terms of anonymity, “The movement, which was at its peak till mid 2018 has now died down. However, there are rumours that it might have some impact in a few areas still. This new kind of pathalgadi, which has also led to a few criminal act seems to have been fueled by opium farmers and traffickers who want to keep the police out of village boundary so they can continue their illegal work freely.”
He added, “If the villagers get the basic facilities of water and road and get decent job opportunities, incidents like this pathalgadi would never happen.”