Few tribal MPs of Jharkhand have been able to sustain a decent relationship with the people of their constituencies besides raising their voices in Parliament. Following the footprints of veteran BJP leader and Deputy Speaker of lok Sabha Karia Munda, sitting MP of lohardaga constituency Sudarshan Bhagat makes it a point to keep himself attached to his rural roots and remain active at the Centre for guarding the interests of the people of his constituency.
Bhagat, who is contesting the elections from tribal dominated lohardaga constituency again on BJP’s ticket, talked to The Pioneer on varied issues concerning the state and the nation at length while taking out some time off election campaigning. Excerpts of the interview:
You have been visiting the rural areas of the constituency everyday and meeting hundreds of people. What is the response of votersIJ
Response is quite encouraging. It is clear that the people of nation are looking forward for a positive change. There are several problems at the grassroot levels and the rural voters are confident that the BJP only can solve their age old problems. Today, there is a strong wave of Bhai Narendra Modi in both urban and rural areas and they feel that Modi Ji’s government would save them from demons like uncontrolled price hike and corruption. Rural voters do feel that in today’s time if there is an energetic person there with honesty and strong will power it is none other than Narendra Modi. They have seen the development model of Gujarat and the failures of the UPA government in last 10 years. It is clear whom they will choose.
Your constituency lohardaga is known to be one of the most underdeveloped areas of the State. People do not even have basic amenities, there are no industries, not enough water for irrigation, poverty is rampant, huge unemployment and migration of people as a result. What can be done to solve these perennial ailments of the areaIJ
I am fortunate that the party has given me the opportunity to contest the polls from my constituency. For the last five years I have been working with some primary goals set for the development of the area. One of the principal demands of the people of the area was that Gumla gets connected with the rail link. I had written to the Railway Minister and raised the question in parliament about it. The central Government, however, has not taken any initiative about it. Even the construction of lohardaga – Tori rail line started during BJP’s rule has been delayed by the UPA government.
Secondly, there are many areas in the constituency where vegetables are grown on a large scale. So, we can establish agriculture based industries here. Food processing industries will definitely flourish here. Farmers here are quite industrious here but due to scarcity of water for irrigation they can’t do much and therefore we urgently need to execute schemes for water management in the area so that the natural water resources can be aptly managed and the peasants get enough water for irrigation.
In fact, multi-sectoral development of the area will include many aspects including continued electricity supply in rural areas, setting up of higher educational institutions including it is, Medical and paramedical colleges, establishment of health centres, development of tourist spots, industrial use of forest produce, construction of rural and urban roads for better connectivity. These will automatically decrease the unemployment rate and help in eradicating poverty thus social evils such as migration and displacement, extremism and other related problems will be solved inevitably.
You have strong competitors in the poll, who would try to break in the traditional vote bank of the BJP. What about the tribal communityIJ Do you feel insecure about their allegiance towards the party in the caste and community based politics being played hereIJ
I have absolutely no doubt in mind that the tribals of the nation are with BJP and they want Narendra Bhai to become the PM. The party has done a lot in the interest of the tribals during Mr. Vajpayee’s government. I am the MP who had raised issue of Sarna Code in the lok Sabha. And the code is very important for safeguarding the spiritual rights of the indigenous people.
Your constituency is severely hit by extremism. What is your take about the issueIJ
I feel that innocent people are misguided and later they get indulged in criminal activities. They should come back to the mainstream. Unemployment and poverty are the basic reasons for their detachment. We also need to put in some community level efforts to bring them back apart from government’s rehabilitation policies.
Do you have any fear of defeat in mind given the complaints that you have not been visiting the constituency frequently and had remained away from the people during your tenureIJ
These allegations are baseless. I have devoted maximum available time with the people of my area and have raised their issues in lok Sabha also. And, I am clear in my mind that I will sail through the elections comfortably with the blessings of Narendra Bhai. There is no competition at all.