One can understand the sense of uneasiness in the minds of seven-time MP from Khunti Karia Munda when he, while agreeing to the observation that the area lacks in even basic facilities, says these are the job of the State Government and not of him. The constituency figuring in one of the most sensitive ones of the country is set to vote on April 17 to answer searching questions like red terror, sticking to poverty, lack of opportunity and continuing socio-economic exploitation of those living in abject deprivation.
The constituency is also witnessing extended role of the banned organisations such as PlFI this time. The groups and several splinter organisations are said to be openly in the support of one particular candidate. “The PlFI cadres are sending out threats that no candidate would be allowed to campaign. They have also ordered the voters to either not to vote or vote the one particular person. You can see no electioneering is taking place barring around the highway and urban localities,” said a villager of Jiarrappa.
Police also accept that Jharkhand Party candidate Anosh Ekka was taking undue advantage of the proscribed group PlFI to get votes. “We have some complaints lodged against him and two FIRs have been filled. We are investigating the matter,” said Khunti SP Anish Gupta. He also admitted about the terror in the minds of the contesting candidates as some of them have even sought for security to continue with their electioneering.
Amid the factors not favouring it, the BJP is banking on the support of its tested cadres, traditional Munda votes and most importantly the Narendra Modi wave which would “swing 8 to 10 per cent votes in the party’s way,” believes Karia Munda. He added that the inflow is from the outside the support base of the BJP. “Situation is under control and I am getting the desired support. Ekka is taking resort to money and muscle power but this has made him infamous and unpopular as well. People are apprehensive that if he is doing this even before elected what he will do after being elected,” said Munda.
Moreover people are worried about the pace of developmental activities in the area which lacks in any quality vocational institution, good hospitals, roads to villages, electricity and schools. “School buses from Ranchi can be seen plying on the roads of Khunti. The Sadar Hospital is just playing the role of referral hospital. Most of the villages lack in drinking water and toilets. This is when Khunti is the address of the fourth most powerful person in the country,” said Mahendra Singh, a trader indicating to the Deputy Speaker in the lok Sabha.
Sense among the voters is that despite facing anti-incumbency, the BJP may remain a nose ahead of Jharkhand Party’s Anosh Ekka, provided the voters overcome the fear factor of the reds. Congress’ Kali Charan Munda is said to be banking on his brother and Khunti MlA Neelkant Singh Munda’s effect.
locals pointing towards the equation hint that with Dayamani Barla of AAP running away with considerable Christian votes, Karia Munda’s way to Parliament may be paved for one more time. “That is why PlFI is attacking so much on Barla and her cadres and workers,” said Soma Singh. Not only Ekka but Mahadeo Ravinath Pahan of Rastriya Desaj Party is also said to have the backing of the Maoists. Niel Tirkey of AJSU is considered as outsider and seems to be out of the race.