When the JMM dished out facts regarding Narendra Modi’s development track record in Gujarat and the dynasty examples in the BJP yesterday, it was obvious that it wanted to run an anti-Modi campaign, instead of focusing on the BJP’s ‘failures’ during its nine-year rule in Jharkhand.
All the senior BJP leaders, including Modi, have attacked the JMM hard, giving a call to end “baap-bete ki sarkar” and corrupt raj. “Baap ne koyala bech diya, beta balu tak nahi chhora,” they say.The JMM, Congress, JVM and RJD have run the campaign, saying it was the BJP which had been in power for almost nine out of 14 years, so the saffron brigade has to be blamed most for the ills plaguing Jharkhand.
The BJP, on the other hand, has blamed the JMM-Congress for non-development and instability. It also explains that it could not perform as it never enjoyed majority and always played a victim to the blackmailing tactics of its allies.The BJP has run the Governments with the support of parties of all hues, including JD (U), JMM, AJSU and Independents. Independent MlA Madhu Koda ran the Government with the support of the JMM, Congress and the RJD, while the Shibu Soren ran the Government with the support of the BJP. The Congress, though not at the helms, partnered with Koda and Hemant Soren in order to keep the BJP out of power.
In fact, given the short tenure of all the Governments, in which all the parties had remained in power some time or other in the last 14 years, it has really become difficult for the voters to judge whom to punish for the under-development and also for the pollsters to predict who will face the music.No wonder, voters have their own interpretation for the incumbency factor. “Soren’s attack on the BJP for under development is like evading responsibility which rests equally on the JMM which had been part of the Government led by the BJP. “He (Hemant) is correct but that doesn’t exonerate him from the sin of not doing enough in so much time. Both are to blame partly for the lack of development,” says Shaktidhar Adhikari of Bundu.
Even as Soren terms the incumbent Government’s stint to be more focused on development of the hinterlands of Jharkhand seems to disagree on the count that despite tall claims basic problems remain unaddressed and except roads the junior Soren has nothing to show.“Roads have been constructed but to be honest I don’t know whom the credit should go to. Whether it’s being constructed with MlA fund or Government,” said Phagu Pradhan of Dugdugi in Khunti.
“People’s memories are short. So, the anti-incumbency is always faced by the Government in power,” says Harishwar Dayal, Regional Director of the Institute of Human Development.JMM strategist Supriyo Bhattacharya, however, says that anti-incumbency is not a factor and people this time are not ready to make compromises on development which is possible only when there is political stability.
“The BJP is also promising development with stability but it has not projected any face to execute them. On the other hand, there is more commitment on part of the JMM which had also projected a face,” he adds.“If at all there is anti-incumbency it is against the Congress for its 10-year rule at the Centre,” he points out.
Interestingly, a BJP candidate fighting elections says that the anti-incumbency factor did not play any role in Palamu division during the first phase of elections. “Voters voted either on caste line or in the name of Modi,” he added.He, however, pointed out that Modi wave, which was strongly perceptible during the lok Sabha elections, had become weak since then and local issues and candidates have emerged important.
A BJP strategist also says that only Modi magic may propel the party beyond the magic mark on its own as there is no other issue to net votes for the party.