Days are not too old when the saying was popular that any Tom, Dick or Harry can win with BJP’s symbol from Ranchi. The belief was largely based on strong Mahto votes in the constituency which is traditionally being considered loyal to the saffron party.
Though, the disenchantment came briefly when the party suffered in 2004 and 2009. But this time around the NaMo factor seems to getting the strong section again with the party when Ranchi goes to vote on April 17.
Villages around Ranchi town such as Semalbera, Hisri, Basri Bodya, Katamkali have Mahto dominating over the others. Despite factors like number of the candidates belonging to the caste in the fray — most prominent among them is AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto -- BJP’s Ram Tahal Choudhary who has represented the constituency four times in the lok Sabha without much to his credit and candidate as strong as Subodh Kant Sahay, the section is looking at Narendra Modi at the helm.
“We know that Ram Tahal Choudhary did nothing in so many years and not much is expected from him this time as well. But what we are looking at Modi who has done good for Gujarat and would do for the country if given a chance,” said Rajender Mahto of Semalbera. The village on Ranchi-Patratu highway over 200 households belonging to caste Kurmi and one can see number of BJP flags furling.
When asked about other Mahto candidates which is said to prove detrimental for the BJP’s candidate, Ramdhari Mahto of the village said, “It is well known to us that Kela (AJSU’s election symbol) is here just to cut BJP’s votes. Mahtos would have given their votes completely to the BJP and that is why the Congress played this game.” “Why can’t Silli boy remains in Silli and allows his brethren to regain his position in DelhiIJ (Dilli wala Dilli mein, Silli wala Silli mein),” asks a Kurmi youth.
Ranchi has six Assembly constituencies namely Ichagarh, Silli, Khijri, Kanke, Ranchi and Hatia comprising around 16.5 lakh voters enrolled. Out of these nearly seven lakh votes are of Kurmis who are decisive in Ichagarh, Silli, Kanke and Khijri.
“It is the Modi wave that is sweeping across. People are keeping national picture in mind before voting. Had the BJP fielded a new and better candidate than Ram Tahal, the victory from Ranchi would have been landslide,” said Raja Ram Mahto who has recently joined the saffron party. Even some young “supporters” of the AJSU accepted off the record that the so called wave is sweeping which has blown away much talked about caste equation in Ranchi.
“It was the game of the Congress to counter the BJP. Though we are carrying AJSU flags we know that Sudesh bhaiya is not a factor in the lok Sabha election. We are just managing out daily expenses but votes would go the BJP itself,” said one of Basri Bodya. Nevertheless the Modi factor has also polarised votes into two camps and the Congress’ Subodh Kant Sahai is burning midnight oil to arrest the anti-incumbency against him, the two-time MP, and also Congress in power for last 10 years.