loknath Mahto, the three-time legislator from Barkagaon fighting from Hazaribagh lok Sabha constituency on an AJSU ticket, banks on his work done for the people for the last 15 years. He also reveals the plans chalked out for the people of Hazaribagh in the field of education, irrigation and strategy to remove the menace of Naxalism from the area. Excerpts from an interview:
What will be your priorities for the people of Hazaribagh if you win this electionIJ
All round development of the area. The way I have tried to develop my Assembly constituency in the last 15 years in the field of education, irrigation as well as in the other fields, if given a chance, I will do the same for Hazaribagh.
What do you think this constituency is lagging behind the other onesIJ
Firstly, education. In this age of competition, students of this area have to take admission in professional colleges outside the State after paying huge donations as there are very few technical institutions in this area. I will try for adequate number of engineering and medical institutions here so that they
need not go outside for education. Secondly, this constituency lags far behind in the field of irrigation. I would introduce the technique for the constituency which the farmers of Barkagaon and Patratu have adopted.
The people of Jharkhand should know how they can provide water to the fields with the minimal use of electricity and diesel. This is very easy but could not be done here for the greed of commission. Costlier the project, more will be the commission. Such projects must be developed in the State which could be brought to the ground easily.
The two of your major opponents – Saurabh Narayan Singh and Jayant Sinha are highly qualified, the former having a royal background while the other one is the son of former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha. How will you counter the two in this electionIJ
It’s true, both of them are well qualified and technically sound but qualification of a candidate is not the solution for the poverty of this country. Now people cannot be fooled anymore just by giving public speeches, the integrity and policy of a candidate must be clear. Until and unless both are clear, development of an area could not be done. Development could not be brought merely by making huge announcements. It has to be brought on the ground.
I have fulfilled the promises made by me during my tenure. I reached out to the villages and tried to understand and find solution to their problems after making a priority list.
As I am going to the villagers now for campaigning, I will go to them after winning the seat if, given a chance to serve them. I will develop the area on the basis of a priority list, whatever will be done, it will be done with the consent of the people.
Do you think that the caste factor will prove to be decisive in this election. How is it going to help youIJ
I don’t think so; I will be getting votes cutting across the caste and party lines. I have worked for everyone in my constituency. It’s true that I could not work for them according to my plan, but I did what was possible for me.
What you have to say about the much talked about Modi wave in the countryIJ
I don’t think Modi wave is going to work in Jharkhand. People are not fool; one cannot dupe them just my making impressive public speeches. One thing is clear that anyone who has worked for the people of this area will get votes cutting across the party and caste lines. I have full faith in my work.
Being a candidate from a Maoist affected area, what solution would you suggest removing the menace from the countryIJ
The moment corruption is removed from the society; the problem of Naxalism itself will be finished. They are also human beings and sons of the soil. They also need recognition in the society. Today bribe is taken to give job to the youth of this country; politicians are charging huge amount for transfer postings. The officers, who pay bribe for transfer postings, cannot be expected of doing justice with their jobs. Politicians sitting on the chair are responsible for it.
How will you counter the high profile opponents in this electionIJ
I never considered myself an important person. I always remained a common man among the common people. My nature and signature will never change. If people have faith in me, they will definitely vote for me giving a chance to serve them.