20 candidates file their nomination for Giridih and two were disqualified
A four-cornered battle is likely to be witnessed in Giridih parliamentary constituency that is almost facing the same issues of poverty, Maoism, unemployment, lack of water and irrigation facilities like most of the 14 constituencies of the State.
The apparent strong warriors of the poll battle are BJP candidate Ravindra Pandey, JD(U)’s Jaleshwar Mahato, JVM’s Saba Ahmad and JMM’s Jagarnath Mahato.
Sitting MP Ravindra Pandey is a four-time winner from the constituency and is confident of his victory while JMM’s Jagarnath Mahato is also looking for the votes of agrarian class. Since this is a Mahato (Koeries and Kurmies) dominated constituency so JD(U)’s Jaleshwar Mahato may have a fair chance to win but JVM’s Saba Ahamad has minorities’ support as well as Congress voters in his kitty.
As many as 20 candidates filed their nomination for Giridih lS constituency and two (Chander Deo Prasad and Rajendra Mahato) were disqualified during scrutiny.
The candidates who qualified are Ravindra Kumar Pandey from Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Jagarnath Mahato (JMM), Umesh Chandra Mehata (AJSU), Saba Ahmad (JVM), Jaleshwar Mahato (JDU), Ashutosh Verma (TMC), Gurjeet Singh (AAP), Jitendra Kumar (Samajwadi Party), Videshi Mahato (JDP), Madhusudan Singh (Jharkhand Party), Kartik Mahato (BSP), Shiva Mahato (JMM Ulgulan), Mrinal K Dev (Socialist Party lohoia), Sanjeev Kumar Sinha (All India Forward Bloc) while Sanjeev Mahato, Sajtul Rab Akami, Sohrab Kha, and Dilip Rajak are contesting as Independent candidates.
The constituency, going for polls on April 17, comprises of six legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) constituencies including Giridih, Dumri, Bokaro, Gomia, Bermo, Tundi and Baghmara. It covers parts of Giridih, Bokaro and Dhanbad districts — a Mahto (Koeries and Kurmies) dominated constituency — that holds the keys of poll victory.
About 14,82,421 voters includes Giridih-2,26,579 voters, Dumri-2,38046, Gomia-2,48,698, Bermo-2,76,141, Tundi-2,45,888 and Baghmara has 2,47,069 voters ready to decide the fate of 18 contestants who are in the fray.
Devoid of development owing to closure of mineral based industries Giridih constituency is also infamous as ‘Red den’ of outlawed naxal rebels. Despite the sturdy initiative of the Government, atrocities of red rebels and geographic locations of the district hinder its development.
The region is rich in minerals still people residing here are poor. People residing in the remote part are living in the dearth of several basic amenities. Drinking water, health, electricity, road connectivity, education, employment including others are the major issues found across the constituency.
Carved out of some parts of Hazaribagh district, Giridih was created in December 1972. Giridih is rich in mineral resources including mica and coal. Most the terrain surrounded with dense forestry and hilly areas which is presently a part of the Red Corridor for outlawed CPI maoist. More than 80 per cent of the booths in the constituency have been placed in the super-sensitive and hyper-sensitive categories.
Naxal threat is a major concern and the administration is facing a challenge in conducting peaceful poll and to provide security to candidates and ensure people come out in large numbers on voting day.