The Shibu Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has approached the Election Commission (ECI) urging it to block Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Sahibganj. The PM is scheduled to visit the district on April 6 which is adjacent to Pakur where the bypoll for vacant littipara constituency is going to be held on April 9.
As per the proposed programme, the PM during his trip to Sahibganj has to lay foundation stone for the long awaited bridge over Ganga river that would connect Bihar from Jharkhand and handover smart phones among women besides, distributing appointment letters to primitive tribal group Paharias.
“The visit of the Prime Minister is a clear misuse of Government machinery and fund to influence the bypoll. The programme to distribute mobile phones and direct appointment letters among Paharias is to lure the voters of the constituency where considerable number of Paharias resides,” reads the missive sent to the ECI on Thursday and has been marked to the State’s Chief Electoral Officer as well.
The State Government has carved out special battalion for the primitive tribe in which the member of the community would be recruited directly. Narendra Modi during his trip is scheduled to begin the appointment process by handing over letters to some of the applicants.
The JMM, in its letter, has drawn the attention of the Commission towards 27000-odd voters from the Paharia tribal community, traditionally perceived not as JMM supporters, figuring into the electoral roll of littipara and the effort as to woe the voters.
“The Chief Minister in divisional level workers meeting of the BJP at Dumka on March 17 had made several lucrative announcements that include financial assistance to the farmers, free houses and jobs etc. This was a violation of the model code of conduct that was already imposed in the constituency, which shares one of its blocks with the district. And now the PM’s visit, which will take place just two days ahead of the poll, is sure to influence the voters in a wrong way,” said the party general secretary
Supriyo Bhattacharya, requesting the Commission to prevent the programme from taking place.
In the meanwhile, the returning officer of Pakur came up with the list of candidates who have filed valid nomination papers for the April 9 poll. They included Simon Marandi (JMM), Hemlal Murmu (BJP), Kistu Soren (JVM), Harishchand Hansda (Samta Party) and Independents--Jyotish Baski, Gupin Hembrom, Gayalal Dehri, Shiv Charan Malto and Jantu Soren. The nominees can withdraw their names by Friday.