The battle of Santhal Pargana is a do-or-die contest between BJP and JMM. While, the BJP’s effort is to make a dent in JMM stronghold (Santhal Pargana), JMM is working hard to protect its bastion, which has withstood 2014 Modi wave. The Rajmahal (ST) seat which borders Dumka, has strong influence of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren with the tribals giving him the status ‘Dishom Guru’. BJP is banking on development works started by Modi government.
Since 1989, Rajmahal has remained as safe fort of JMM with Simon Marandi winning the seat for first time. This time the contest is between JMM sitting MP Vijay Hansdak and BJP Hemlal Murmu. Interestingly, Hemlal Murmu too had represented Rajmahal Lok Sabha seat but as JMM candidate. Vijay Hansdak, son of Congress old warhorse from the area Thomas Hansdak is contesting the election for second time.
The Rajmahal seat, which borders Bihar, is only district in the State through which river Ganga passes before entering West Bengal. Migration of people from the area to different parts of country in search of employment, infiltrations of illegal migrants from Bangladesh, poverty, unemployment, land acquisition are few issue which will remain core issue in elections.
Nature has bestowed Rajmahal with immense tourism potential, but even after passing of more than 70 years of Independence, the area still remains backward.
Rajmahal in Sahebganj district was Capital of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Assam (known as united Bengal) during the Mughal period. A small but historically significant town, Rajmahal has relics dating back to the Mughal period when Raja Man Singh, the general of Akbar, made it the Capital of united Bengal in 1592.
Political expert and former Vice Chancellor of Ranchi University, VP Sharan said, “The Rajmahal town has immense tourism potential, but the area has remained economically backward and successive governments which have ruled state have done nothing for economic development of the area.”
Sharan further said that poor infrastructure of the area can be gauged from the fact that Sahibganj district which is part of Rajmahal constituency has no proper markets. The people often visit to nearby markets in Bengal crossing the mighty river Ganga on boats for purchasing clothes and electronic goods.
The parliamentary seat covers the entire districts of Pakur and Sahebganj. The Lok Sabha seat comprises six assembly segments—Rajmahal, Pakur, Barhait, Borio, Litipara and Maheshpur. While BJP holds Rajmahal and Borio, three seats Barhait, Litipara and Maheshpur are held by JMM while Pakur is held by Congress.
In 2014, JMM candidate Vijay Hansdak defeated BJP Hemlal Murmu. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) made the contest for Rajmahal a triangular one by placing Gopin Soren for the constituency. Though Rajmahal has remained as safe bastion of JM, but in 2009, Devidhan Besra of the BJP defeated the then sitting MP Hemlal Murmu. Hemlal Murmu went to the BJP after the 2009 elections.
However, this time the BJP is working hard to make a comeback in the seat. The Modi government in this connection has initiated several schemes such as on April 2017, foundation stone for a multi-modal hub on Ganga at Sahibganj with railway, road and water connectivity was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The project also includes construction of highway link between Sahibganj in Jharkhand to Manihari in Bihar, including a bridge on the Ganga, will improve connectivity between North India and the North-East.
The project will also expedite improvement of infrastructure in Bihar and Jharkhand and will cut down the time and cost of travel in these states. The development of this stretch is also expected to help uplift socio-economic conditions of people of this region in the state.
Sources said that though the Saffron party is banking on development works started by Modi government, it is an uphill task for BJP to break JMM bastion in Rajmahal. Rajmahal demography is as such that the constituency constitutes large chunk of tribal population followed by minorities. While, the BJP is banking on non-tribal votes, the JMM relies on its traditional tribal vote bank. However, in last few years, BJP has made inroads in tribal areas due to different development work initiated by Modi government.
After the conclusion of sixth phase of polling, Chief Minister Raghubar Das is camping in Santhal Pargana holding rallies in Dumka, Rajmahal and Godda. Also, on Wednesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Deoghar but he tried to connect with people of Dumka and Rajmahal constituency too.
From Grand Alliance, JMM executive president Hemant Soren is camping in Santhal Pargana for victory of Mahagathbandhan candidates in three constituencies.