Clam and unruffled pictures of voters at Chaibasa give a murkier look for the ongoing election scenario at the Singhbhum parliamentary constituency. Though a strong undercurrent of anti-incumbency factor is running across a several pockets of the Singhbhum seat but the silence of voters makes the fight even more interesting.
As per current political scenario at Singhbhum, the constituency which is reserved for the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes, a neck and neck battle between BJP candidate laxman Gilua and sitting MP’s wife Geeta Koda of Jai Bharat Samanta Party is imminent. Singhbhum lok Sabha constituency is one of the 14 lok Sabha constituencies in Jharkhand. This constituency is reserved for the candidates belonging to the Scheduled tribes. This constituency covers the entire West Singhbhum district and part of Seraikela Kharsawan district. The constituency comprises six Assembly segments -- Seraikela, Chaibasa, Majhgaon, Jaganathpur, Manoharpur, and ChThe total number of electorates in the Singhbhum lok Sabha Constituency are 957,406 of which 484,836 are males and 472,570 are females. A total of 12 candidates are in fray for the coveted seat this time.
Sitting MP Madhu Koda, who is facing graft charges, has fielded his MlA wife Geeta Koda while the saffron party is banking on its Chakradharpur MlA laxman Gilua from the Singhbhum seat. Gilua is hopeful to repeat the magic of 1999 elections in which he defeated his arch rival and Congress leader by 82311 votes. “Singhbhum constituency has been the most neglected area of our State. Repeated Governments have failed paid heed the needs here. like every elections, this time too the development of the area is the mail poll plank for the candidates. However the anti-incumbency is much more active this time,” noted Basant Benkura, a local keeping keen eye on political scenario. He said though all candidates are trying hard to woo voters, the actual fight is between BJP and Jai Bharat Samanta Party candidate. According to Benkura, Gilua has an edge over rivals since Assembly areas Chaibasa, Majhgaon, Manoharpur, and Chakra-dharpur are dotted with BJP supporters while his rival Koda enjoys an edge at Jagganthpur where she is the MlA.