Amid the anti-incumbency factor at the Potka reserved (ST) and Jugsalai (SC) constituencies looming large, NaMo wave helped BJP and its alliance party AJSU sail through. BJP MlA Meneka Sardar (45) contesting for third time (was MlA in 2000 and 2009) attributed her win to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of a stable Government. She defeated JMM’s young leader Sanjiv Sardar.
“I am happy to have won the election. With a stable Government in the State I will improve infrastructure especially in irrigation and provide skill-based job opportunities for youth. I understand a lot needs to be done,” said Meneka. In 2009, Meneka Sardar gave BJP a good opening by defeating JMM MlA Amulyo Sardar by 15,710 votes. Sanjiv Sardar (31) a zilla parishad member in 2011 accepted the people’s mandate. “ I give my best to the people. The close fight shows that people are not too happy with the sitting MlA. We will analyse the reasons for our defeat,” said Sardar.
Political analysts opined that along with Modi effect the urban voters also supported Modiji call for a stable government despite polarisation of Santhal votes (25 percent) in favour of JMM’s candidate. According to the reports, Meneka Sardar’s popularity graph had declined over the years and party activists are angry with her. Despite being the sitting MlA it wastough for her to regain the seat but the Modi helped her to win.
In 2005 Assembly elections, Amulya Sardar had defeated arch rival Meneka Sardar with a margin of 13759 votes. While in 2000 Assembly elections, BJP candidate Meneka Sardar trounced JMM candidate Krishna Mardi to win Potka seat. In 2009, Meneka defeated Subodh Sardar of Congress by a margin 17,000 votes. A political activist said that the lack of basic infrastructure facilities is still a distant dream for the residents of Potka. The sitting MlA had failed to live up to the expectations of the people. Moreover even during diarrhea outbreak the role of local administration was not satisfactory.
On the other hand Ramchandra Sahis became the second time MlA from Jugsalai a combination of urban and rural constituency defeating Mangal Kalindi (41) of JMM. Congress candidate and three times former MlA DulalBhuiyan finished third. Giving credits to the NaMo wave, Ramchandra Sahis believed it as an opportunity to fulfill incomplete projects. “ I am of the opinion that the verdict is clear people have responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi call for a government with full majority. I will work for improving road network especially in rural pockets,” said Sahis.