The Rourkela Ispat Karakhana Karmachari Sangh (RIKKS) affiliated to the BMS (Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh) had a landslide victory in the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) recognised union election on Wednesday.
Though due to restriction by the Odisha High Court the Regional labour Commissioner (RlC), Central, could not declare the result officially but according to reports from the counting agents of different trade unions the RIKKS got 7,329 votes out of total 14,194 (92.6%) polled in its debut in the RSP union poll. Biramitrapur MlA George Tirkey-led Gangpur Mazdoor Manch (GMM) came second scoring 2,666 votes.
While the Rourkela Mazdoor Sabha (RMS) affiliated to the HMS secured 1,885 votes, the Rourkela Shramik Sangh (RSS) affiliated to the INTUC got 944, the Steel Employees’ Trade Union affiliated to the CITU 936, the Rourkela Workers’ Union 121, the AITUC 98, the Steel Employees’ Association, Rourkela, 52 votes.
Interestingly, in the last five recognition elections since 1995, the RIKKS had never crossed a 500-vote mark having got 448 votes in the 2010 election which was its highest. This time, its landslide victory was considered to be due to the Modi wave, the workers’ resentment on NJCS member unions and, most importantly, RSS founder Panikar’s support.
Though the GMM was the new entrant in the election its leader succeeded in consolidating a maximum of SC & ST votes. The five-time recognised union since 1995, the RSS, suffered a miserable debacle due to a polarisation between two groups and its founder leader Panikar, who still claims as its general secretary, favouring the RIKKS. Secondly, its role in NJCS was also unacceptable by workers.
Though the SETU had secured the second position in 2010 getting 4,267 votes, it failed to maintain the tempo and rather it was defamed over its role in NJCS. Though the RMS had always been in the second position except in 2010, this time it also lost miserably due to NJCS blame and a late start of electioneering.
So from the past trend of results it is assumed that in coming days it would be a tough task for the RIKKS to keep the workers’ support intact.
Source said the RlC had initiated the election process on the instruction of the High Court and would submit the counting results to the court soon. And after a final hearing of the case, the court would take a decision on the results. It may be mentioned that in last election the same situation had occurred.