Ranchi: It's said chief ministers rule from Ranchi but are made in Dumka. This constituency in Santhal Pargana has always been the hotbed of Jharkhand politics. The 18 seats of the tribal-dominated region is going to polls on December 23 and it will be a litmus test for Shibu Soren's survival.
Deciding not to go to polls with RJD and JDU (parties of Dikus as called by tribals) along, JMM has successfully sent a strong message to voters that it won't compromise over its tribal-centric politics. In all seats of Santhal Pargana, JMM is going to voters with this one decision reclaiming its hitherto lost credibility among the community.
Even though there's a faint buzz in the political circle that Stephen Marandi is still unhappy with Hemant Soren, Marandi while addressing a rally in Dumka today said, "Mein Maheshpur ja raha hu lekin mera dil yahin laga rahega. Mere samarthak Hemant ko bhari maton se vijayi banayein (I am going to Maheshpur but my heart lies with Dumka. I urge you all to overwhelmingly support Hemant Soren)."
When Marandi was addressing the rally, many from the audience murmured, "Stephen accepted to fight from Maheshpur on the promise of a Rajya Sabha ticket if he loses, even though his prospects of winning are high."
It's believed that Marandi had bargained hard to get Dumka ticket from where he has been a six-time MLA, and was visibly miffed; but he finally accepted Maheshpur ticket asking his supporters to work hard to ensure victory of Hemant Soren in Dumka.
"The old fight over personal ambitions went on too long but now our leaders are in favour of a collective fight against communal and capitalist forces. After 10 years, Marandi's base in the area is not as strong as earlier, but his comeback has given party its old strength. JMM's genuine vote bank that was dented out by its own leaders changing sides is intact this time with their comeback." said local party leaders from the audience.
They claimed Stephen and Sorens are like family. Hemant Soren was the one who was instrumental in Stephen Marandi's "comfortable" comeback.
There have been reports of small rebellion in the party over Marandi's re-induction, but those have been so small that could not attract media attention.
BJP faces communication gap!
The campaign of BJP in Santhal Pargana clearly shows the party is bereft of influential local faces. Babulal Marandi was the only known tribal face of BJP in the region. Though BJP has planned five Modi rallies in Santhal Pargana to feel the poll pulse, its leaders have so far not given any poll agenda except for stability and development.
On the other hand, JMM is talking about local issues. In every rally, Shibu Soren is seen reminding voters of how they got rid of Mahajan debts due to his decisions. His party is talking about handpumps, doctors and schools in the language of locals. BJP, however, is unable to establish communication with voters at that level.
BJP has so far not used strong words against JMM, and is targeting Congress alone. This might be seen as a pre-poll trick for a probable post-poll alliance with the party. Even though it's too early to draw an inference, it's pretty clear that the JMM will leave no stone unturned to ensure victory in Santhal Pargana.
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