Achi news desk-
Singhbhum35 minutes ago
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Date 14 April – BJP candidate Geeta Koda was surrounded by villagers in Mohanpur village, Gamharia block, a rugged area in Jharkhand’s Singhbhum Lok Sabha constituency. The villagers had three traditional weapons in their hands – bow, axe, and sword. The officers sent to protect the MP were trying to convince the villagers. Villagers claim that after becoming MP, Geeta Koda did not come to the area even once. Now when he returned, the party changed.
Date 15 April – Addressing a small gathering in Chaibasa, JMM candidate Joba Manjhi says – Villagers should not behave like this She is a woman, but Geeta Koda has broken everyone’s trust by joining the BJP. He was sent to Delhi with the cooperation of all of us. That victory was not his own victory or strength.
This protest by the villagers has changed the atmosphere in Singhbhum. Now the conversation is not only on development, migration, Ram Mandir, Modi and government schemes. This is also being discussed. Earlier the BJP did not consider this seat too difficult, but now it has to make more efforts. At the same time, JMM and Congress have found the issue.
Geeta Koda, former Congress MP from Singhbhum, had joined BJP at the last moment of the elections. Six days later, BJP gave him its own Singhbhum ticket. Geeta Koda is the wife of former CM Madhu Koda. On the other hand, Manoharpur MLA and Minister Joba Manjhi of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) are in the fray. JMM has taken this seat from Congress. This is happening for the first time, when there are two women from the same area, and contesting elections on this seat. There is also a myth on the seat of Singhbhum that the people here change their faces every time.
This photo is from April 14, when Geeta Koda reached Mohanpur block of Gamharia for an election campaign, people blocked her path with traditional weapons.
More than 70 percent of the population of this area is rural. This is a safe seat. Singhbhum district is Naxal affected. The earlier problems were Naxal, employment and migration. Now it is being discussed, but it is more about Geeta Koda. Voters are angry with the district being neglected during the last term and Geeta Koda’s party of change. Geeta’s image is not the same as before because of her husband and former CM Madhu Koda.
Dainik Bhaskar’s team reached Billa village via Mahuldiha. Mangal Languri, sitting under a banyan tree, says that for us the election issue is just a general development. General needs such as electricity, water, roads should be met. He also says that whichever candidate wins, he should definitely find out about our condition. Whoever leaves here victorious does not return. The current MP did not return even once after winning.
In this place we meet Bamia Languri. He says that employment is a big problem in the constituency where we come from. Our life depends on seasonal farming and forest produce. In such a situation, employment is required. He says- The main road that reaches our area is good, but the road that leads to the village is in a dilapidated state. There is also a problem with drinking water. The problem of drinking water is quite old. A drinking water point is based on solar panels. This quenches the thirst of only 20 families.
Who does Geeta Koda get strength from?
There are two major advantages with Geeta Koda, which give her strength. Firstly– He belongs to the tribal community. This population is quite high in this Lok Sabha. Modi’s second face. Most of the General and OBC voters are talking about Modi’s actions. They are seen together on Ram temple affairs. Geeta Koda also sees her victory with this support.
People trust Modi’s guarantee – Geeta Koda
Geeta Koda says that the people of Singhbhum are very excited about the elections. I visited many places. People themselves are taking Modi ji’s guarantee. People themselves say that they have taken advantage of the Centre’s plans. How big is the Ram Mandir problem? In response to this question he says that this is a big issue. The temple that was not being built was built. This is Modi’s guarantee. People believe in it.
CM Champai is doing his best for Joba
JMM candidate Joba Manjhi gets maximum strength from CM Champai Soren. Champai is from this Singhbhum Lok Sabha. There is an MLA from Seraikela in this Lok Sabha. The second thing is that the CM is also from the Santhali tribal community to which Joba Manjhi belongs. As the home constituency, Champai is working day and night to bring this seat to JMM’s account at any cost. His movement and meetings have increased in this area.
Apart from this, one important thing is that Singhbhum has six assembly seats in the Lok Sabha. There are five seats where JMM has MLAs. Congress has one seat. The seats where JMM has MPs include Chakradharpur, Chaibasa, Seraikela, Mazgaon and Manoharpur assembly seats. Sona Ram Sinku of Congress has won the Jagannathpur seat.
Here, the Congress is busy settling scores with Geeta Koda. Hence, the Congress workers are fully mobilized in favor of the alliance candidate Joba Manjhi. The enthusiasm of Joba Manjhi and JMM is high because no MP has been repeated on this seat.
Creating acceptance across the region is the biggest challenge for Joba.
Joba Manjhi faces two problems. First- Their contact is only in the Santali area of Manohpur. There is no complete acceptance in the Lok Sabha constituency. It is a different issue because it is a ‘nose’ seat for JMM-Congress, their position is slightly stronger.
Second- There was a lot of delay before announcing his name as a candidate. By the time her name was approved, BJP candidate Geeta Koda had reached the people. Even now Joba Manjhi’s campaign is not going as well as the opposition is doing.
I have been among the public for 5 times – Joba Manjhi
Regarding the Lok Sabha elections, Joba Manjhi said – There are definitely topics like migration, employment, Naxalism but it is not an issue for any Lok Sabha or region. it’s everywhere. As far as the opposition’s claim to be strong is concerned, I have been among the public for five times. I consider the people supreme. It is not true that people do not know Joba Manjhi or JMM candidates.
There will be a tough battle in Singhbhum
Regarding the Singhbhum Lok Sabha seat, senior journalist Shambhunath Choudhary said that there would definitely be a close contest in this election. There are many reasons behind this. If we talk about Geeta Koda, she is from ‘Ho’ community. The ‘Ho’ community plays a decisive role there. Second, Geeta Koda has been on the ground for longer than the Grand Alliance candidate. He also has experience of working as an MP. Rest of the issues are Ram Mandir, Modi wave and Char Hundred.
Voters are also talking less
Dainik Bhaskar team reached Chakradharpur. A crowd of people had gathered near the Town Council here, but there was little electoral discussion. When we wanted to know the issue of the area from the people, one person from the crowd refused saying that we will not talk to the media person, he said so much that all the people in the crowd refused one by one. When asked the reason for his displeasure, he said there was no use. It was also instructed that no one in rural areas will talk on your mic. He also advised that it would be better for you if you avoid taking the mic in rough places.
Moving away from Chakradharpur, we move to the village to understand the issues. Reached Kuida village, 15 km away. Here in the village people speak Mundari, Oriya. The area we traveled during these 5 hours is a thick Naxal area. As soon as they see the person coming from the city and his gesture, people start moving away. Appears hesitant when speaking. You cannot guess at all whether the person you are talking to is a common man or a person from the party (Naxalite organization).
Understanding the region to understand the voting pattern
To understand the voting pattern in Singhbhum Lok Sabha, it is important to know the district first. We are dividing this Lok Sabha into two parts. One area is urban, and its number is smaller. Here people come to know Ram temple. They are also seen talking. Let us also discuss Modi’s guarantee. They also make claims of figures over 400. While, directly opposite this, the rural area is part of its own problems.
People engage in daily struggles. He does not care about Ram Mandir, nor does he understand CAA-NRC, nor does he understand the story of Char Hundred. Right now it is Mahua and Tamarind season so people are collecting and selling it. If there is a problem with their language, they cannot even express their opinion. But in the middle of it all, the issues that stood out clearly are migration, employment and overall development.
Reached Bhargaon situated amidst mountains and forests. There is a small market here. Here we meet Babulal Koda. He lives in Bedadvi village. What is the issue in the elections? In response to this question it is said that the state of education is not very good. There is a lot of job migration in the area. It says you have to cover a distance of at least 10 km for treatment. Being a Naxal affected area, most of the roads leading to the village are unpaved. This is the reason why an ambulance doesn’t get there. He says that Ram temple is not a problem in the village.
Ghanshyam Sahu is found in this market. They set up shops selling juice, ice cream etc. in the market. Even before asking questions about the issue, they say, we support the BJP. When asked what is the reason for this, they said that we are going to support the BJP family. Ghanshyam believes there is no problem in his area.
An effective temple ram among the people of the city
After understanding Singhbhum Lok Sabha village, we reach Chakradharpur Chowk. Busy place. Dharmendra Kejriwal can be found in a clothes shop near the Chowk here. When asked about the issue, he clearly says that people have a lot of expectations from Modi ji. It also mentions the effect of Ram temple. It is said that its benefits will also be seen in the area. However, along with all these things, they also consider development and employment as issues.
There is an unemployment problem in this area. Chakradharpur should be developed. There should be factories. This is what Hemant Jain has to say. Related to business. It is said that business will develop only when the area develops. GST is not a problem for them. But, he has a positive thought about Ram temple. This is where Satish says employment is a big problem. On the question of Ram temple, he says it is a good thing. It is a pilgrimage site for Hindus.
30 factories and mines closed in three years
Adityapur district is known for industry in the entire Lok Sabha constituency. Experts say there used to be hundreds of small and large factories here. Now one can count on fingers. The business and employment of the entire Lok Sabha depended on this Adityapur, but in the last three to five years, more than a dozen factories were closed.
The whole area is for iron ore mining. But, their condition is also bad. More than 30 iron ore mines have been closed. About one lakh people were directly involved in employment, but today the situation is that everyone has become unemployed. Many people have now migrated to other states.
