Dumka Lok Sabha constituency the traditional stronghold of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is once again going to witness contest between JMM and BJP. JMM party chief and patriarch Shibu Soren, who has represented the seat for eight terms is once again in electoral fray. Pitted against Shibu is BJP candidate, Sunil Soren, who is less than half the age of JMM patriarch. Sunil who started his political career from JMM is said to disciple of Shibu, but later he switched sides to BJP. If Shibu wins the election he will create a history in State of reaching Lok Sabha for ninth time.
Dumka Lok Sabha segment spread in three districts of Santhal Pargana is known for Massanjore dam, across the Mayurakshi River. Built with Canadian aid, it is also called Canada Dam or Pearson Dam. It was commissioned in 1956. Maluti temples a group of 72 extant terracotta temples, located in the Maluti village near Shikaripara are also tourists’ attraction.
The region bestowed with rich flora and fauna and immense tourism potential, but the region remains as one of the most backward areas in country. Political expert and former Vice Chancellor of Ranchi University, VP Sharan said, “After the creation of separate State in 2000, Dumka was given the status of second capital of State. But even after passing of more than 18 years nothing much has improved in the region.” Sharan said, “The economic and infrastructural backwardness of the region can be gauged from the fact that the second capital of State is still without proper hotel to stay. The markets are less developed. People buying capacity is also poor.”
The former Vice Chancellor of Ranchi University said, “The successive governments, which have ruled the State since its inception have done nothing substantial for building infrastructure in the region. The second capital status to Dumka is only customary and token status given to city. Neither Jharkhand High Court bench was setup nor does the city have any major government offices.”
Sources said that main reason behind economic backwardness of the region is stringent Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act. As per SPT Act, not even tribals can purchase the land of tribals from other revenue thana. Due to strict SPT Act, industrialists are reluctant to set up industries in the tribal dominated areas.
Also, the region has a sizeable population of Particularly Vulnerable Tribes (Pahariya) who are still living in abject poverty and backwardness.
The Dumka seat has remained as safe bastion of JMM as Shibu Soren launched his political agitation against money lenders from the Santhal region. Soren who had served as Chief Minister of State and Union Minister due to strong association with tribals is revered as demi-God in this part of tribal belt. The tribals of the region lovingly call him Dishom Guru (tribal leader) or Gurujee. The love and respect, Shibu Soren enjoys with tribal population of Santhal Paragana can be gauged from the fact that around 40 years back when Indira Gandhi was making her comeback in 1980 Lok Sabha elections, one tribal leader who withstood Gandhi’s aandhi (storm) in Dumka was Shibu Soren who defeated Congress candidate. Recently, in 2014 when the entire country was witnessing Modi wave, it was Dumka and Rajmahal the two tribal seats in Santhal which withstood Modi wave.
However, it was Babulal Marandi then BJP candidate who won Dumka seat twice (1998 and 1999) defeating JMM heavyweight Shibu. But this time Babulal is with Shibu.
The Saffron party to regain Santhal has been working hard. Last year, the local BJP leaders launched an agitation in Dumka claiming ownership of Massanjore Dam located in Dumka. The dam located in Dumka borders Bengal.
BJP MLA from Dumka Louis Marandi who is also minister in Raghubar Das cabinet last year staged a protest against Bengal Government and Mamata Banerjee’s party Trinamool Congress claiming that benefits of the dam are flowing down to West Bengal starting from irrigation water to power whereas people of Jharkhand are bearing most of the brunt.
Moreover, Chief Minister Raghubar Das eyeing Santhal had visited Dumka several times and even launched various schemes for the region. Also, it was Raghubar Das who framed a policy to set up a special police battalion, the first of its kind, exclusively comprising members of particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). Among the 32 tribes in Jharkhand, nine have been recognised as PVTGs.
The BJP candidate Sunil Soren is banking on different welfare schemes launched by Modi and Raghubar Das government. Sunil is contesting against Shibu for third time. Earlier, he had contested in 2009 and 2014, but suffered defeat. The Dumka Lok Sabha comprising six assembly seats, two are held by BJP (Dumka and Sarath), while JMM has MLAs in Shikaripara, Jama and Nala. One seat Jamtara is held by Congress.
The Lok Sabha segment which will go to poll on May 19—last phase of polling has 13,67, 141 voters. Both JMM and BJP are holding public meeting regularly to garner public support.