The JMM’s (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) U-turn on Savita Mahto in the recently concluded Rajya Sabha elections has intensified politics around OBC votebank, considered an umbrella of most influential votebank, with different groups — political as well as non-political — grabbing the issue with both hands to score points over each other before the upcoming elections.
Amid the mudslinging in the name of “insult” to the widow of Sudhir Mahto, former Deputy Chief Minister and JMM leader, a nondescript Kurmi Sangharsh Morcha (KSM) attacked Shibu Soren and son Hemant Soren for failing to keep the coalition united and doing injustice to the widow of the leader “who was actively involved in the Jharkhand Movement”. The KSM has already made plans to bring everything to screeching halt on February 5.
“The community will not spare anyone responsible insulting Savita Mahto. The Kurmi community accounts for 28 per cent of the OBC so they have actually underestimated us,” said member of the KSM Raja Ram Mahto. Interestingly, the KSM which claims to have base in as many as 15 districts of Jharkhand has warned even the Kurmi MlA’s in JMM fold — Mathura Mahto, Vidyut Varan Mahto and Jagarnath Mahto — of if they renege from their stated position.
“If they are doing this to lure Kurmi votes in the upcoming elections then they will also face consequences in the elections. The community will not spare them either,” pointed out president of KSM Sheetal Ohedar. Interestingly, JMM which failed to mollify adamant MlA’s insisted that the party never intended to hurt sentiments of the Savita Mahto or the community she represents. The JMM blamed rival political parties for not coming out in support of the widow of Sudhir Mahto despite its appeal for support for their candidate in the RS elections. The party also distanced itself from OBC votebank politics and doesn’t see the ongoing drama over resignation as a manifestation of the politics to keep the Kurmi vote bank intact. The MlAs have postponed execution of their decision till the last rites of Sudhir Mahto gets over. “Why they (BJP, JVM, and AJSU) did not extend their support to our candidateIJ They are playing politics not we,” maintained JMM spokesperson Vinod Pandey.
Significantly, the JMM after failing to defend its master stroke and its belligerent MlAs seems to have dropped the ball in Savita Mahto’s court. The party expects things to revert back to normal once the last rites get over and hopes to win back Kurmi voters through Savita Mahto. “She (Savita) is in constant touch with guruji (Shibu Soren) and Hemantji. Whatever she wishes we are ready to accept that and this is our stand,” added Pandey. Nonetheless, the AJSU party pooh-poohed the JMM’s last minute decision to pave the way for RJD’s candidate. “Did they consult us before suggesting their nameIJ At least they should have talked coherently on her candidature,” asserted AJSU leader Deosharan Bhagat.
“This was their internal matter. They made Savita come out during the last rites which is against tradition. People will decide who is wrong,” continued Bhagat.