Political temperature in Godda district heated up with Congress and BJP workers having a face-off over taking credit of Godda-New Delhi Humsafar Express which started its first journey from Godda on Thursday. The Madhupur Assembly constituency, where the bypoll is slated on April 17, comes under Godda Lok Sabha segment. A minor altercation between Poreyahat Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav and Godda BJP MP Nishikant Dubey over taking credit of Railway project in Godda, soon turned violent with supporters of both the camps exchanging blows.
The matter escalated to such an extent that the police had to use force to drive Congress and BJP workers away. Sources said that the clash between Yadav and Dubey supporters gained importance as ahead of Madhupur bypoll, both groups wanted to take credit for Railway projects in Santhal Pargana, which is directly going to influence Madhupur bypoll. With the inauguration of Humsafar express direct train services from Godda to Delhi has started bringing Godda in the national railway map in 70 years. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal flagged off train services from Godda to Delhi. Dubey claimed that due to his effort since 2012, Godda district has got space in the national railway map. On Wednesday too there was a twitter war between Dubey and Congress’ Jamtara MLA Irfan Ansari over inauguration of Humsafar Express.
State Congress spokesperson Alok Dubey said, “During the tenure of the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2012 an MoU was signed between the state government and the railways for the Godda-Delhi Humsafar railway line, which led to the Jharkhand government to expand the rail service in the state.” Alok Dubey said that BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has the habit of getting cheap popularity in different government projects and schemes and remains in newspapers and media.
Dubey attacking the BJP said that despite double engine government in Centre and State, the Godda rail service project could not be completed; on the other hand, the UPA government has always been working on the expansion of rail and road service.
However, BJP claimed Godda rail project is due to the effort of three times BJP MP from Godda Nishikant Dubey. State BJP spokesperson Pradeep Sinha said, “Dubey has been working hard for railway projects in Godda since 2012, but the Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav every time makes fun of Dubey.” Sinha said, “The clash at the railway project is unfortunate. The clash is well planned as JMM and Congress leaders of Godda district through social media were urging their supporters to reach Godda in large numbers during inauguration of rail line and train services.”
The political scuffle between Dubey and Yadav is not new as both the leaders on several occasions have tried to politically malign the image of each other. Both Yadav and Dubey from Godda have represented Godda parliament on earlier occasions. In the last General Elections, Dubey defeated Yadav by the margin of around 1.5 lakh votes.