Those considering Ramgarh as a traditional stronghold of the AJSU party may expect some strange results this Assembly elections as the constituency is not only facing the anti-incumbency wave but is also disturbed due to disenchanted people who did not wish the AJSU to enter into a pre poll alliance with the BJP. Former minister MlA Chandraprakash Chaudhary, is facing a stiff competition by Congress candidate Shehzada Anwar who remained the runner up during 2009 Assembly elections and also by Independent candidate Shanker Chaudhary, who is a retired pensioner.
“Despite giving adequate time to perform, Chandraprakash could not do much except those done in the initial days, immediately after he became MlA for the first time. Whatever was to be done has already been done by him,” said Vinod Kumar of Dimra village, adjacent to the birth place of JMM Chief Sibu Soren. It was high time; another person with some innovative ideas and enthusiasm, must be given a chance to develop the area, added Kumar.
Moreover, people are also disappointed with the performance and attitude of Chandraprakash who was available only to the selected few of his party. “He was never available to any of us and was always surrounded by a core group of selected party workers while the Congress candidate is always available to a common man,” said another person of the same village. People need someone who can stand strongly with us in the hour of need, he added.
People here, are so enraged that a larger chunk of votes, which was supposed to go in favour of BJP, will be go to the Congress party, said a 75 year old man Dhanushdhari lal of the same village.
Most of the locals are also of the view that that caste factor, which has played an important role during elections in the area over the years, may not play a deciding factor this time in Ramgarh.
“If caste factor did not work in the area this time, it will be difficult for him to get away with the seat easily,” said Basant Kumar Mahto of Sone- Dimra village.
I will not be surprised if any independent becomes a dark horse during these elections, he added.
Basant also alleged that Chandraprakash had only focused on making money over the years in the name of serving people but people now are desperately seeking a change in their representation.
“Workers of AJSU party are trying to dominate the people and get elected with the money power which was generally done in UP and Bihar or shown in the movies. It is simply not acceptable to us anymore,” said Manoj Mahto of Gola.
Chandraprakash was seeking vote on the basis of money power but Shehzada is banking on the space he has created in the hearts of the people, he said. “He has done his job… people are fed up with him,” added Manoj.
Above all, Chandraprakash enjoys a thumping support around his native place, which may prove the trump card for him. “There is no doubt in the victory of our leader, he is going to win the seat again,” said Suraj Gupta of Chitarpur.
A total of 17 candidates are in the fray including eight independents in Ramgarh. During the last elections, Chandraprakash had won the seat with 61,947 votes while Anwar became second securing 36,472 votes in his favour. Another candidate who is also in contest, according to the voters, is JMM candidate Vinod Kisku.