Political winds seem to have started blowing in right directions in Jharkhand though after 14 years of its coming into existence. Unlike the multi-pronged fight, which has been the feature during all the previous elections held for Assembly in the State, lohardaga,Bishunpur and Gumla constituencies are witnessing largely two cornered contest.
Most of those who came out to vote looked convinced with the call for a stable Government in the State which is possible if one party Government comes to power. “It is very important to form a strong Government in Jharkhand. We have seen the side effects of coalition governments which had paved way to corruption and criminal activities,” said Dr Mahesh Sahu of Torar, falling in Bishunpur constituency.
Satish Oraon of Senha though predicts triangular contest among BJP-JMM and Congress but hints that the saffron party has a nose ahead. “It seems that people are looking for development as their agenda and not caste and other things. They also think that if similar kind of Government would be both at the Centre and State then perhaps things would be better,” said the intermediate student expressing his anguish over lack of education and job opportunities in the area for youths like him. Congress’ Bobby Bhagat with her works done as rural representative in interiors is also in contest while sitting MlA Chamra linda, who at the last moment joined the JMM, is banking on his Christian vote bank. In lohardaga, though the voters looked annoyed with the BJP going with the AJSU which, Kuldeep Oraon thinks, has given a lease of life to sitting MlA Kamal Kishore Bhagat. “He was not even in the race. But AJSU’s coalition with the BJP has brightened his chances. The voters are of the view that getting their votes wasted is not a good thing which is possible if voted in fragmented manner. Not happily, but the BJP cadres and supporters have voted largely in his favour,” said Kuldeep.
Apart from a clear no-no for coalition Government, many voters also stressed over development plank ahead of any particular candidate. “Every candidate is the same. Just changing the face in the Assembly is not going to do things for us. After all we have to keep party ahead of a candidate so that a he can work on a particular line and with an agenda,” Said Vikash Kumar of Senha in Bishunpur.
With clarity on development, the “wave” is still continuing in the segment. “The current can still be felt. Voters are looking at him for the promises and want to once again support him in Jharkhand as well so that no excuse remains for them. Stable Government is the need of the hour but it has to deliver also. If it does not happen, then again the State would land in hands of cheaters,” said Manzoor Ansari at a booth in Gumla town.
Though notable slide in the area in the form of male voters, particularly of younger generation, poses a pointed question and hint towards the perennial problem the region is living with. Scanty rainfall in this monsoon has left people with no option but to leave for the other cities in search of livelihood. Along with this, lack of vocational education for the youths has led to migration.
“The feature has to change and I am here with this hope only. You can see vast stretch of farm land without irrigation facility. Farmers are producing top quality vegetables but have to sell it to the middlemen. The predicament has to be over and this has turned the fight in close contest limiting between BJP verses others,” said businessman Birendra Mandal of Ghasi Toli of Gumla.