Political parties try every trick in their book to lure people with the sole aim of grabbing their vote however they seldom follow rules framed by the Government for specific purposes.
With the beginning of Haj, political parties have begun ostentatiously displaying their love for the minorities embarking on the divine journey besides luring those who thronged the Birsa Munda Airport at Ranchi to see-off their near and dear ones.
The half-a-kilometer road up to the terminal is flooded with placards featuring leading politicos - Hemant and Shibu Soren, Annapurana Devi and Subodh Kant Sahay etc- wishing a memorable journey to well wishes for people leaving for Mecca
“There is no problem with the wishes but there is a tinge of politics in this. They need to prove their concern for the community by helping in its development not by sloganeering,” said Md Shafique, who came from Dhanbad to drop his father and mother for the Haj.
But the people can now read between the lines and see the bigger goal before the political parties, especially ahead of the election year i.e. 2014. “Elections are round the corner that is why they are luring the people,” said Rafique Ansari.
Interestingly, political parties do not consider it to be mandatory to obtain permission for setting up temporary stalls to welcome Haj pilgrims. It is necessary to obtain permission from the airport authority for using their premises for erecting make-shift arrangements.
“Political parties do not need any permission for these types of activities. Only the owners of the hoardings can raise objection for banners and posters put up on the poles and elsewhere,” said Ravi Kapoor, Personal Assistant of Ranchi MP Subodh Kant Sahay. Sahay’s photo figured prominently among the leaders of different political parties.
Notably, airport officials confided that although it is necessary to obtain permission for using the airport premises they usually allow the Haj Committee to use their space for making temporary arrangements for the pilgrims. “We usually
allow Haj Committee but no political party has ever approached us to seek permission on using the premises,” said Airport Director, Birsa Munda Airport, Raju
Raghvendra Kumar.