Tamar poll peaceful

Soren's fate will be known by Tuesday

Vijay Deo Jha/Anupam Rana Tamar Tuesday, January 6, 2009 (National Front page)

The fate of the Chief Minister and UPA candidate Shibu Soren was finally locked in the chips of the electronic voting machine on Monday in a peaceful Tamar by-poll conducted with mega security arrangements. Now, the mood of the electorate will be revealed on Thursday on the day of counting of votes.

Reports coming from different polling booths indicated that this Monday would be best remembered for a very close hairline contest among Soren, Raja Peter of Jharkhand Party, Vijay Singh Manki of AJSU and Vasundhara Munda of Janta Dal United.

To quote official sources, the turnout staggered at 58 per cent out of 1.58 lakhs voters who exercised their franchise, across 247 booths of the Assembly constituency. "It was a free and fair election without violence barring a few cases of arrest," said Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Arun Ekka.

A fair analysis of the polling pattern of the day suggests Raja Peter has thrown a major challenge before his contenders, specially Soren. He seems to have succeeded in translating his support base into votes every where while Soren found favour mostly among the voters of Tamar and Arki.

The most widely predicted result and probability suggests the most engrossing possibility - a history of defeat or victory with a narrow margin.

Voting started at 7 am and the electorate thronged in large numbers at the polling booths, flashing their voter identity cards and other documents as approved by the Election Commission. However polling remained dull for a couple of hour but it was a temporary phenomenon.

A sudden surge of voters came as a big relief for the party and candidates. The voting gained momentum as evident from the reports. At the booth number 12 situated at Government Middle School, Edalhatu in Bundu block, 315 votes were cast out of 729 within the first four hours. Other polling booths too witnessed brisk and aggressive polling.

Driving along the National Highway 33 from Ranchi to Tamar on Monday morning, through Bundu, Arki, and Tamar one could witness a rainbow of moods, ranging from indifference to festive participation. But more or less the electorate showed their participation many of them bivouacked around polling booths in the mild sun of January while the flow of the river Kanchi and Karkari was markedly quiet.

The day was spared of any major devastation — Tamar turned into a garrison of armed forces who could be seen alert and ready to react in a split second. The EC had made a large security bandobast — 70 companies of forces were pressed in service to stop poll violence and any possible naxal attack. The forces were deployed at the polling booths situated in the remote rural areas. A good number of security forces were deployed along the roadside.

“We have sufficient numbers of forces to carry out the election peacefully, and election here is going on peacefully,” said the patrolling magistrate at Bundu.

If agriculture is their “economic priority” “voting” is their political priority. The rural flock returning from their fields directly went to the polling booths. At Booth no 156 at Punditiri, only four percent polling was registered till 12 am. Lakhu Oraon, a farmer, explained the reason: “It is agriculture season and most of the people working in the filed would come for the poll later.”

Unexpectedly the rural voters were prompt in casting their votes where turn out was not less than 75 per cent. In the polling booth situated at village Basukucha, the total turn out was 81 per cent as the sources informed. The apprehension of Maoist violence proved wrong and apparently Maoists had to eat crow as they could not disturb the polling.

We were at one such polling booth at Kandeburu village, a Maoist-affected area situated some 10 kilometers remote from Bhuiyadih. The voters turned out very late and a large numbers of voters, more than 200 could be seen standing peacefully in queue and waiting for their chance to vote.

Just after the conclusion of the voting, Soren said: “In whatsoever form the mandate comes I will accept it with all grace…but I am sure it will be a mandate in my favour.”

Election is over but Tamar is still reverberating with claims and counter claims of victory.

Clamour for Raja banter for Soren

As Tamar goes to poll, charges spawn rumours

Yarns of stories of backroom maneuvering and vote management as Tamar goes for polls

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, January 5, 2009 (Front Page)

The last eve of Tamar's momentous election was a restless moment for political parties and their candidates. Nobody knows what is in store; but the cold night of Tamar remained hot with speculation and unraveling stories about the backroom manoeuvring to manage booths and voters. This is an election after all.

The cascade of complaints is constantly travelling through wires to the office of the election commission of the gross violation of the model codes of conduct.

"So far more than a dozen of cases have been reported and four FIR registered," said Bundu SDO AK Poddar. But with one observer and 83 micro-observers working round the clock to detect violation cases with their fault finding glasses; the administration has not been not able to ascertain the complaints of distribution of money and the supply of booze to give a good hangover to the voters.

Ghanshyam, as he called himself, a local of Rauladih —situated three and half kilometers away from Bhuiadih — would tell you how the supporters of a candidate have been trying to mould the voters through money and assurance for the job of their family members. Rauladih has 500 voters mostly belonging to Mahto group, dominant in the socio-economic hierarchy of Jharkhand and the most sought after groups of voters to win the election: The candidates would say yes to it without qualm.

Sambhunath working as a private teacher and associated with a voluntary organisation shared the rumour of the supply of money to manage the votes of Rurgi. There are unspecific numbers of reports of the money distributed among the village headmen to ensure voters' turn out in the favour of the JMM candidate.

"I know that half a dozen of the ministers have been alluring the voters with money and tracksuit and a guaranteed job," Raja Peter, the candidate of Jharkhand Party, leveled this specific allegation.

But the JMM promptly rebuffed the allegation stating that Soren did not require such shady deal to win the election.

Peter, who till last day of the campaign, was mostly spotted in the remote area to cement electoral bond with invisible voters surged on the urban space of Tamar and Bundu for a final date with the voters.

He was followed with his supporters mainly youths, and stops at village Rugri, Dumra and Burudih to gauge the mood of voters. "People's mood is against Shibu Soren. And if election is held in a free and fair manner the result would reflect it," Peter said. He also quoted the letter sent by People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), a banned outfit, to the village headmen to vote for Soren.

However, for the JMM the allegations are baseless and the party believes that its commitments for development would bear the fruit. For the JMM Soren was unnecessarily hounded, cursed, jeered and projected as a villain for his decision to choose Tamar to test his luck.

Confident that the issue of the development of Tamar will gain favour among the literate classes of the voters the JMM led one such door-to-door campaign at Tamar and Bundu. The bond of caste and the issue of nativity are being invoked, the rhetoric of a political change is battling the plea of development, loyalties are being redrawn afresh, treacheries are being committed, promises unfulfilled are coming to haunt and new promises are being made.

Addressing the party workers to shape the strategy for the poll, Soren made a last appeal to the voters to elect him from Tamar. Soren was quoted as suggesting his party workers to ensure that the election was held peacefully.

As Soren prepares for what is probably the biggest test of his political career, his soft notes for the Maoists and the alleged promises of support he got from PILF will probably ring sardonically true when he lapsed his cool on Sunday afternoon when some of the media persons tried to obtain his reaction over the veracity of the letter. It is in a jarring contrast with a man who has been contesting despite several odds and being lauded even by critics.

JMM curry favour

Two days left for election candidates' last date with voters begin

Vijay Deo Jha Tamar January 3, 2009 (Front page)

By now everybody knows 'that assembly'—Tamar charting it through the lush hilly fields off the Ranchi- Jamshedpur National Highway 33—the epicenter of state politics that has just drifted here and would stay for the next week along with party and politicians.

The countdown of a could-be political tremor has just begun—just two days left—the electorate would trigger off tremor with single push of the button of the electronic voting machine and every beep would confirm to it.

Tamar finally thickened with the raucous and discordant voice—loud and whispering, claiming their victory.

In one such campaigning the Chief Minister and UPA candidate Shibu Soren campaigned at Rugridih and Hararlohar asking voters to just check his life profile of the last 44 years and all that he did for the making of Jharkhand, before they vote.

"Development of Tamar is naturally in my agenda", Soren begins. Amid his speech Soren points out the underdevelopment of the society and assures the development of Tamar was cocksure if he wins.

While his other cabinet colleagues the Bandhu Tirkey, Nalin Soren and the Congress leaders Manoj Yadav were trying to be reason and familiar with the villagers of Haralama and Birbanki in Arki block. His supporter and also the close aide of Soren; Sunil was quick to point out that their leaders campaigned in the remote villages where police forces and politicians dared not to venture. These remote village of Arki are the sanctuary of Maoist.

Apparently satisfied over the response Bandhu Tirkey said: "Guruji yaha se jeetenge ye vikash ka mamla hai ek chief minister jitna vikash laa sakta hai utna aur koi nahi." (Guruji will win here, it is the matter of the development, no other but a chief minister can ensure development.)

But the silence of the electorates are an indicator that none of the claim of politicians has graduated beyond the credibility of nukkargossip where small fry party workers could be seen claiming the victory of their candidate with their earthy knowledge of psephology and caste combination of Tamar.

But the flag bearers of the JMM and the Jharkhand Party mutually claim they are in contest leaving JD (U) candidate Vasundhara Munda wondering where she stood in the fray.

Vasundhara claims of getting support in the area and village such as Reladih, Kansidih Babrandih, Munda Toli, Jatra and such other places of Bundu and Tamar where she campaigned on Friday. While the JD (U) leader and chief minister Bihar Nitish Kumar has already appealed the voters to elect his party candidate party's national president Sarad Yadav would address one such rally at Bhuiadih today, the last day of campaigning.

Her party leader and spokesperson Pramod Mishra claimed that the Munda community recently decided to cast their weight behind Vasundhara.

Once snubbed by Nitish as votekatwaSudesh Kumar Mahto of AJSU who was also labeled as young man who lacked experience in politics by Nitish—Sudesh does not attach too much value to it. He could be seen seeking voters' favour for his party candidate Vijay Singh Manki in Tamar urban area besides Peradih, Sumandih, Janampiri, Sundargarh, Nawadih.

A bitter shunt out from power for Madhu Koda

Insiders spilt blood in Jharkhand politics

Jharkhand politics one step ahead in cloak and dagger and realpolitik

Not Manmohan but Koda govt fell due to nuclear fallout

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, January 1, 2009

Suddenly shunted out of the power and roundly snubbed by a partner that switched consorts before formal divorce, the erstwhile Chief Minister Madhu Koda must wonder what it is about the strange alchemy of the Congress, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the Rashtriya Janata Dal that leaves it singed time after time.

Koda also must be ruing his decision to sew up the numbers behind Manmohan by persuading the JMM supremo Shibu Soren to save the UPA Government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from the nuclear fall out of the atomic deal.

August proved politically fatal for him. "I have an interest in the politics of Jharkhand," the short and crisp statement that Soren unfolded political drama in Jharkhand. The drama that continued nearly for a fortnight ended with a tragic political note for Koda.

JMM mentor Shibu Soren rode to office after engaging in pressure politics minus sophistication and Koda rode home basking in the consolation of victim hood. Soren was virtually forced to go this way by his party MP Hemlal Murmu and Teklal Mahto, who nourished the dream to occupy Union Cabinet Berth by pushing Soren to the State politics. But things did not move as thought and planned by the duo MPs: Manmohan was in no mood to give JMM one and half of Cabinet berth as promised.

The BJP which hoped the political cleavage within the Jharkhand UPA would change the political dynamics of State politics in its favour was left to nurse its wound.

What a countless numbers of threats of the Congress and its State in-charge Ajay Maken could not work to dethrone Koda, a single atomic deal did. In Jharkhand's cloak-and dagger-politics it is often hard to separate apparent facts from fiction added a close aide of Koda.

One to remind the carefully crafted New Year's message of Koda for the year 2008 when he claimed the train of development would run in Jharkhand under his premiership with a soft snub to his UPA allies and the NDA as well-they should at least refrain from disturbing his Government.

The claim of Koda was not unfounded who made a sort of history of being the first independent Chief Minister who continued to be in his office despite the unabated attack by the BJP-led NDA alliance as well as the Congress.

April's greatest fools were the leaders of the State Congress who claimed the fall of the Koda Government was inevitable within the month and even staged demonstration against the Government calling it corrupt. But the real humiliation befell on Maken - Koda turned his wiles to woe with the blessing of RJD boss Lalu Prasad.

A stunned Maken, who had neither power nor glory to gain from his efforts, had little to say. "Sorry but I have nothing to say." Same was the case with the NDA which failed to bring any political curse for Koda despite a countless number of agitations.

However, during the whole scenario the independent MLAs kept the master key to the power finding no qualm in switching their loyalty as matter of realpolitik. Specially, the Congress had to eat humble pie whenever it demanded Koda to remove the tainted ministers and independent MLAs from the cabinet.

But stars started ditching them at the end of the year when the Congress forced Soren to kick out the Rural Development Minister Ainosh Ekka and the Urban Development Minister Harinarayan Roy from the cabinet on the charge of corruption.

It was a good decision by default which Soren took only after Ainosh Ekka refused to withdraw Raja Peter as his party candidate from the election in his support. But it was not Soren under the command of things when he announced the decision to sack the duo: the credit directly goes to the Congress which wanted the head of the duo.

The proverbial Damoclean sword has been hanging on the head of these independent MLAs - Kamlesh Kumar Singh, Ainosh Ekka, Harinarayan Roy etc - who are facing cases of disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. Speaker Alamgir Alam hinted the decision would come. The five suspended BJP MLAs are also facing disqualification charges.
The Congress insiders said that the party was working on a fine strategy to disqualify these independent MLAs who on several occasion challenged the grand old party and virtually left it sulking on the political margin; forlorn.

But for Soren trouble appeared a month after he was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand on August 28. Currently contesting by-election from Tamar, the election result would decide not only the survival of his Government but also his future. Soren who did not want to contest election from Tamar was forced to contest by his UPA allies.

But the last year brought no cheer for the BJP. Despite a united face in the public, chinks appeared in the BJP. The Assembly by-election of Simaria cast damper on the spirit of the party-the party failed miserably triggering a major debate whether Jharkhand indeed needed a non-tribal chief minister to bring development.

Over all politically Jharkhand failed miserably said senior BJP leader Arjun Munda as it failed to give the State a positive direction. The Morhabadi Ground witnessed nearly a dozen of political rallies and all failed to solve the purpose. The dream of Babulal Marandi to form 'third front' failed but not his party which he claims the only alternative able to put dysfunctional Jharkhand on the road.

The sessions of the Assembly would be best remembered for rancour and lungs power rather than for a positive debate. The cross sections of politicians are still debating over cats and dogs status of Maoist. The debate can be heard in Tamar right now while the story is filed from Ranchi dateline, some 60 kilometers away.

Politics with folded hand

Tamar bypoll: Pouncing big cats and clueless monkeys

Vijay Deo Jha Tamar Monday, December 29, 2008
Bad news and reports of unending violence are seldom strange coming out of Tamar. For long, there has just been the "Naxal problem" to cope with. Now, to add to it, arrived the "Election problem."

A week before when Tamar is slated to vote on January 5, the area has already begun to fill up with would-be claimants of the ballot but those that would hand the mandate are as ever silent in suspicion. People are not so vocal on the development agenda - it is the territory of the candidates to rant about.

What stops them is anybody's guess, though, as they are neither shy nor lack in political awareness. The problem lies somewhere else which nobody wants to discuss.

But there are a few who can still speak about this. "Election?" mumbles 60-year-old Basuki, a native of Nabadih village. "It is not campaigning but management that matters here…nobody wants our vote." And what the management means is a concept well known to villagers of Dulmi, Peraidi, Jaundih and Ulilohar and Arki, Pundiri and some other places where they live under the specter of Naxalite terror.

After a brief pause, Basuki clarifies how election is a problem to them. He quotes the "cats and dog" debate generated out of the statements of the UPA candidate and Chief Minister Shibu Soren. To him, the Naxalites cannot be ignored as a deciding factor. "Nobody wants to be vocal fearing Naxalite backlash at least in the villages where the outlaws have a free access," says Bhuvneswar Kumar, a villager of Nabadih and a free lancer who gained notoriety for his vitriolic pieces in the magazine ‘Kolhan Ki Tezab’. "The cunning monkey in the story of the two cats had the luxury of distributing justice between cats, here we have too many ferocious big cats pouncing and we, quite truly, are clueless monkeys.

For this election they have at least one foregone conclusion -- this time, too, the Naxalites will do their best to scuttle the election and if they do not, the leaders would do their best to influence them to tilt the electoral scales in their favour.
Comments a primary school teacher who did not want his name be disclosed: "Earlier the naxals used to paste red notes to boycott the pole but this time they have not done it…but they are certainly going to send us their farman whom should we vote."

Where lays the development agenda: perhaps in the party manifesto or in the words of the candidates- not in the dry and parched canal which one's used to be the life line of the agro-economy of that area. The canal passing through three constituencies once supplied water from the river Kanchi to the fields situated on its flank is now serving another purpose- a play ground for the village kids and for sometimes a racing ground for wanton school boys who are in no hurry to go their home.

However the supporters of Soren claims water would gush in the canal after the election. "The canal project running worth in crores would soon be revived", said Samta Party candidate Harisingh Munda who withdrew his nomination in favour of Soren. But for Dhneswar Pramanik a school teacher, the politics of canal took its toll on the agricultural prospect of the area- nearly 50 thousands acre of land has turned barren.

Political promises failed to bring electricity in these villages and people would tell you some chilling dark stories of their life sans lights. "There is no life after sun set…we pack in our home fearing a naxal might be lurking in the chaos, about to spring a manic surprise on you", Yasodhar a native of Gurbati village said.

Here in Nabadih the resourceful villagers use solar lamp which they use to lighten their tinny dwelling besides earning money through this by charging five rupees for charging of the mobile sets which are many in numbers. This is a blessing in disguise for them; but how many resourceful people live in the village. Most of them, including doctors, engineers and many more left the village.

Charges @ 6 croes

Soren paid Maoists Rs 6 cr to win Tamar bypoll: Nitish

Vijay Deo Jha Tamar 28 December, 2008

Tamar by-election is a regional election story reported from different datelines ad nauseam, but it refuses to die, or even bore the masses today.

It was witnessed on Saturday when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during an election rally at Nabadih and Bundu charged the Jharkhand Chief Minister and UPA candidate Shibu Soren for wheeling and dealing with the Maoist outfits to ensure his victory.

Soren drew flak from the NDA combine due to his recent pro-Maoist statements. A peeved Soren had justified his pro-Maoist statement in one of the election rallies a day back stating that he was not wrong in asking Maoists to join Government as they were not dogs and cats.
At Bundu Ground, it was the turn of JD (U) MLA Radhakrishna Kishore to pose question to Soren whether late Munda, SDPO Pramod Kumar and those police personnel who lost their lives were indeed dogs and cats. Taking exception at the statements of Soren as objectionable, the president of State JD (U) Jaleswar Mahto quipped: "It might not be surprising if one day Soren indeed handovers police stations and Government offices to Maoists.

Supporting the allegation leveled by his party colleague and the national spokesperson of Janta Dal United (U) Shivanand Tiwari, Nitish said: "Soren has signed a pact with Maoists to ensure his victory in Tamar by paying Rs six crores to them. Tamar by-election is a testing ground of the sharpness of the teeth of the Election Commission."

For this young Chief Minister who took everybody by surprise by unseating the decades’ long regime of the subaltern sahib of Bihar --- Lalu Prasad; the by-election of Tamar could bring a political revolution. "A mere election can decide your fate; it would bring an end to the era of corruption, underdevelopment and state of lawlessness which Soren has allowed," Nitish pointed out.

He appealed the voters to elect JD(U) candidate Vasundhara Munda, the widow of slain party MLA Ramesh Singh Munda, and asked them not to forget the works of development done by the late Munda.

It was another political revelation at Nabadih Ground when Nitish supported Lalan Singh, party president Bihar JD (U), who stated that Soren once tried to allure late Munda to be the Chief Minister of Jharkhand by engineering a split in the NDA, which the latter refused.

This presents the character of late Munda and Soren in contrast who is now trying every unethical trick to win the election, Nitish blasted. "It amazes everybody that what forced Soren to contest Tamar by-election when once he publicly blessed this widow…and now he is opting every trick to woo Maoists and even inviting them to join the Government and take rein of administration.
Here was a Chief Minister who was trying to woo the voters through his meticulously selected words with polished humour and puns. Known through as Susashan Kumar, Nitish tried to underline the development of Bihar within short span of time and drew a parallel with Jharkhand which he said lagged behind in terms of development. The development of Jharkhand became haywire after the exit of the Government led by the National Democratic Alliance.
A mere bus ride from Patna to Ranchi through road route can give you the real feel of the development of Bihar that took place in the last three years. But in Jharkhand the development is in retrograde motion, Nitish said.

No politics between the wickets in Tamar

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Saturday, December 27, 2008

Candidates and leaders contesting and canvassing for Tamar by-election may genuinely use body line campaign against their contenders to win the game.

”This is cricket not election where you suppose to flabbergast the batsman with bodyline bowling”. Amid the screams of “how's that” matched with equal number of people from opposite team howling it as 'foul'; warning is clearly heard during a local cricket tournament at Salgadih where 35-year-old Raghu Patar, the umpire of the match warns the pace battery, named as Bhola. “No politics between the wickets.”

Whereas people and politicians in Tamar are in a twisting brain game to speculate about the winability of the candidate, a good number of youngsters have a busy time organising a small-time 'Sunil Mahto Cricket Tournament.' Nearly 10 teams across the villages of Tamar have been participating. The match is interesting, but spirit is quite friendly.

"We organise such matches every year in the month of December and manage the finance on our own…this time we decided to rechristen it after the name of late Sunil Mahto," said Sudhir, the organiser.

In a stark contrast to the extensive electioneering of the party and candidates in Tamar that still gathers little crowd and clapping by the motley crowd that thronged this sprawling ground is generous to encourage the players on their every fine play. "We are from a nearby village and have come to encourage our team… it is good to watch cricket," said Vinod Ram, a graduate hailing from village Haramlohar.

Since most of the schools are closed for winter vacations and no examinations at hand, youngsters turn out in large numbers to see the tournament. With every four and six, cheer kids would raise cheer slogans and a bunch of clueless sheep grazing nearby would lift its head in astonishment what the whole fuss was about.

While the by-election is at a sniffing distance such cricket matches, teams and players are on the political radar of the candidates as their prospective electoral fodder. The boundary of the ground was dotted with party flags that indicated the political interest of the party to bring them in their catchments area. This is apart from those youths who are paid Rs 500 per day to fill fuel tanks of their motorcycles.

"How many politicians and candidates have approached you for vote so far?” Not very much forthcoming about this, the commentator Dinesh Mahto, who peeps down from the makeshift bamboo platform saying: "So many leaders have come and assured to support us with money and promised to give award to the man of match."

The organisers have announced to give 1000 rupees to the wining team and five hundred to the second winner. But after much prodding a member of the organising committee said: "They promised to give money and other things after the declaration of the result."

But fine bargaining is on. They passed resolution to vote for the candidate who supplies them with cricket kits. Better, intelligent candidates rush to such grounds to tap their voters, as it is a cricket season - apart and unaffected by bodyline campaign.

Soren trudges on rugged turf of Tamar

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Friday, December 26, 2008 (Front page)

Tamar is drenched in political colour and is ready to turn into a war platform for political heavyweights who are rushing here with bags of promises. The campaign which started with a whimper in the beginning is now roaring; however the tone is raucous.

So far, electorates have kept their cards close to their chest leaving candidates to grope in dark for answers. In fact, the people here like to bask in the rare glory of the frequent visits of candidates and leaders of both descript and non-descript identities. But indications and warning are in air—it would be a close fight and none should expect an easy win.


However, Chief Minister Shibu Soren, contesting as the UPA candidate, is not an air-dropped candidate or forced candidate. He is in the contest which was evident from the fact that the mere rumour of Soren's presence conjured an excited gathering in the market place of Tamar. What favours him is his stature as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand and his supporters are now selling the dream of an astounding development of Tamar if people voted him to power form the place.

Supported with the other allies of the UPA, Soren has now gathered courage to say that he could be the vanguard of development. Meeting and greeting people of the village situated on the flanks of National Highway 33 which passes through Tamar, Soren assures: "I have the key to solve your problems… Let me win first and results would be delivered at your doorstep by January 15."

The caravan of Soren consisting a dozen of vehicles moves to Palna village situated at the receiving end of the political boundary of Tamar and in terms of development also. Both Palna and Bhuiyadiha are close to each other and survive on tomato economy which is now staggering.

The wholesale markets of tomato sprawling on the flank of this national highway are the sole providers of tomato across the kitchens of Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Delhi. But it has so far failed to carry prosperity for the farmers and suppliers. The reason as Dinesh Mahto cites constitutes as the main pole plank for the people. "The area is undeveloped so far, no facility to preserve and transport our goods has been provided by the Government so far…this time people should bargain," he says in an agitated tone.

People bargained with Soren for vote they would cast in his favour. The village head, Shivcharan Singh Munda, presents a set of demand including bridge over river Palna, supply of power, lift irrigation and facilities for the poor people.

Soren uses the occasion to shrug off his image as an outsider as non-panchparganiya. Here he addressed a gathering of nearly 100 villagers of all age and emphasised that he was not an outsider. "I fought for separate Jharkhand. Right now, I can not promise but assure that Tamar would see the light of development." How can Soren forget to pass homily. Two homilies at a time- one is political- another is all about social reform. "Do not waste your votes and abstain from form alcoholism…both are essential for your development." People nod in confirmation to the words of this leader who recently received the title of Jagat Guru from his followers.

Soren leaves for Rargaon village leaving behind a trail of thick dust. The dust would settle within two days, remark comes from a 55 years old villager, Madhav Oraon who recently developed an interest in politics. But more or less people are taking Soren seriously as a strong contender who could not be dismissed so easily. But for Vasundhara Munda, the situation is not as good as predicted earlier.

However, for AJSU workers who had been celebrating the birth anniversary of another martyr of the movement of separate Jharkhand at main road, January 8 would bring sorrow for Soren. AJSU supporters had a usual jeer at Soren when Soren entered in the village --- Bahar wala aa gaya vote mangne aa gaya (outsider has come to ask for votes). They also explained the intrinsic caste structure which to them was sure not to work in his favour. The village has the strong presence of AJSU and Jharkhand Party.

Soren is not wrong in his assurance. Let his political rivals Jharkhand Party and Janata Dal United blame him for violating the model code of conduct --- the electricity department has installed five such transformers within a day and power is supplied at least for 15 hours. It is a tactical move, Soren and his supporters seem to have learned that it was power supplied through these transformers, not the power of words that would decide the matter. But for a young man, Raja Peter, who is contesting as the nominee of the Jharkhand Party whom his followers gave a nomenclature: A native version of Robin Hood simply dismisses the presence of Soren. It is the Chief Minister who is fighting with all his administrative cronies, he says. He spares some time talk to this correspondent at Uluhatu where he was campaigning along with his followers; mostly youths.

He is in razor-edged fight with Soren, and Soren with his renewed vigour is enough to put Peter and his party on tenterhooks. One of his supporters, Sanjay at Dewari, who will cast his vote for the first time said: "Peter has concern for the people and he is one who comes to help the people, besides he is young."

At Babykund village, situated half kilometer away from Dewari temple where Peter used to reside till four years back people are united in their opinion. Message is loud- election would be interesting and very close.
But at Salgadih, there was a unique mixture of cricket with politics. Young boys in their 25s playing cricket here have no problem who wins the election. Whom will they vote? We will vote for the candidate who supplies us with cricket kitbag, it was a joint decision passed by them.

At war with democracy

Maoists, democracy in sublime merger in Tamar

Vijay Deo Jha Tamar Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The Maoists boycott elections and call them a sham of democracy, but for political parties it is a potent antidote to counter Maoist menace.

But here, in Tamar the red sanctuary of Maoist- democracy and Maoists are in sublime merger as candidates contesting by-elections have no qualm to sign a short term ideological pact with Maoist group to win their favour.

The latest series of exchange of allegations in and out of the Assembly with Opposition raising rant over the alleged soft love notes of Chief Minister Shibu Soren indicate this.

The Opposition blamed Soren for justifying their unlawful activities. Candid Soren on many occasions has used fraternity sort of language whenever he spoke about Maoists.

The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janta Dal(United) in Jharkhand are most forthcoming in their protest to it and directly blamed Soren for hobnobbing with Maoists to win Tamar by-election where he is contesting as the UPA candidate. "The day Soren was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Maoist related violence spiralled. What else he (Soren) has to say on this when even Maoists now accept their relationship with him," said Pashupati Nath Singh, State president of the BJP.

The latest in this series is the release of two suspected Maoists under dubious circumstances about two days back. The temperature in the State capital, however, registered a sudden dip but it was hot inside the house when the Opposition raked up this matter on the last day of the Winter Session of the Jharkhand Assembly.

The Opposition was not satisfied with the explanation given by Soren or for that matter by the Director General of Jharkhand Police Vishnu Dayal Ram, who during his meeting with deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi termed it a case of mistaken identity.

"The people of the State have the right to know the truth - who was pulling the string from behind the curtain to remove them from the police custody. The role and complicity of two suspected Maoists are very much in question behind the murder of JD(U) MLA from Tamar Ramesh Singh Munda," Singh gave a fine riposte.

But for some the comradeship of politicians with Maoists is more than mere electoral necessity; it is meditated political strategy. It is evident from elections from the date of undivided Bihar when the rural populace did not turn out in large number for the polling or in some of the cases did not turn out at all after Maoists posted notes of red terror to boycott the poll. Not overtly, but the call benefited the ruling party where it won despite anti-incumbency factor working against it.

"Can you run your campaign in the interior of Tamar and Bundu if Maoists do not want… please go ahead if you can," a senior leader gave this sophisticated explanation who has been campaigning for Soren in Tamar.

Perhaps nowhere is this engrossing alchemy of Maoists and political campaigning more tactile than in Tamar in the recent days. But it pains those who lost their kith and kin in Maoist mayhem that includes Vasundhara Munda, the JD (U) candidate and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi.

For Marandi political parties lost a golden opportunity to defeat Maoists through ballot while the top leaders of the UPA and the NDA, who recently visited Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and even campaigned in the deep red Maoist zone, including Dantewara and Bastar, to make their political friends to win the election should have taken a leaf out of their political book. It is despite their umbilical disagreement refused to sing in praise of Maoists- at least on the public face.

Tamar bypoll deferred

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The by-election of Tamar scheduled to be held on December 29 have been deferred. As per the decision taken by the Election Commission of India the by-election would be held on January 5 whereas the counting of votes would take place on January 8.

Citing its inability to mobilise the requisite number of central security personnel for the by-election on time the EC in an official note sent to Jharkhand Chief Electoral officer on Monday afternoon directed to hold the election on January 5.

Informing this decision the Chief Electoral Officer, Jharkhand, Debasish Gupta said: "By-election of Tamar has been extended since the EC has not been able to mobilize sufficient number of central forces." However, he declined to reveal the numbers of security forces that EC wanted to deploy. But the informed sources said that the State Election Commission was directed to deploy about 25 companies of central forces such as Central Reserve Police Forces.

The sources further added that till this date it could deploy only 11 such companies. Owing to security reasons - Tamar is a Maoist-infested area where maximum numbers of polling booths have been declared super-sensitive - the commission could not risk conducting the election without fool-proof security measures, sources said.An official of the State electoral office who did not want to go on record confided that the EC took the decision after getting intelligence input which indicated large scale violence and irregularities in the proper deployment of forces at every booth during the by-election.

The political class reacted cautiously over the decision where as others (JDU candidate) reacted sharply to it. The senior BJP leader Arjun Munda said that the NDA wanted the by-election should be conducted fairly. "Security has been a thing a thing of utmost importance for the political parties…but the inability of the EC to mobilize forces raises question", he added.

But for JD (U) candidate Vasundhara Munda it was a well calculate move to give the Chief Minister Shibu Soren some more time to manage the thing in his own favour. "The reason as cited by the commission can amaze anybody…how they managed to mobilize the forces so quickly for conducting assembly elections of five states a month back", Munda questioned the rationale.

Soren is contesting the by-election as the official candidate of the UPA and the NDA have expressed its fear about the use of the official machinery in his favour.

But the president state BJP Pashupati Nath Singh preferred to comment only after going through the details of the decision and said that the NDA was prepared to contest the election on coming Monday. "We (NDA) have demand the EC to conduct a free and fair election and also want that the model code of conduct must not be flouted. If security is indeed a bona fide reason behind it than the NDA would ask the EC to ensure tight security", he added.

Security might a reason behind the extension of the date but the decision has come as a great succor to Soren. Not willing to be quoted a senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader said that as time was extended Soren could use the occasion to consolidate his support base in Tamar.

Cong willing to join Soren Cabinet!

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, December 22, 2008
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After a countless number of denials of reports appearing in the media, the State Congress finally accepted that it was willing to join the State Cabinet led by Chief Minister Shibu Soren. But conditions apply.

"It could be possible only if the Chief Minister makes a request to the Congress central high command in this regard…and if we get such offer we (Congress) will think of it", Jharkhand Congress president Pradeep Balmuchu said on the sideline of the party's district presidents meeting in Ranchi.

Balmuchu further added that it all depended upon the nod of the high command and indicated that party had no such problem with the proposal. The evasiveness of the party president had several reasons as the central leadership had virtually frowned at the party MLAs for demanding plum post of corporations and boards.

Following the removal of two of the Ministers after the Vigilance court framed them in corruption cases the political class and media have been speculating about the whose who of new Ministers. Even party sources confirmed the willingness of their party president and confided about his calculated move.

Now, after compelling Soren to contest the Tamar by-election the State Congress has come forward to hitch onto his electoral wagon with a number of programmes. It has directed its district presidents to camp in Tamar for electioneering. The party workers will be covering blocks and villages of Tamar through bicycle march from December 23 to 25. Balmuchu informed that the party leaders would start active electioneering in all the three blocks of Tamar.

Despite its dwindling base in Tamar which nosedived after suffering electoral discomfiture twice here the by-election has come as a moral responsibility for the Congress to make Soren win.

The Congress has an answer to it. Politics takes no time to change its dynamics. The United Progressive Alliance hopes for a swing in the favour of Soren in the coming days, said Balmuchu. It is a combined predicament of the UPA that it suffers organisational atrophy at the grassroot level.

Finding grains of their agenda in the war of words of politicians

Common man agenda loses sheen in Tamar

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Sunday, December 21, 2008

The politics of Jharkhand shifted its base from the State capital to Tamar with the contingent of State politicians rushing down there with a near-consensus view to snatch victory for their candidates. But between the so called litmus test of the UPA candidate Shibu Soren, the sympathy wave of Vasundhara Munda of JD (U) and proclaimed popularity of Raja Peter of Jharkhand Party and others; the people of Tamar wait their just dues amid the smear campaign among the candidates.

Knowing well that their every single vote would decide the fate of the political stalwarts and the State Government; voters are confused amid the blitzkrieg electioneering, as the agenda of aam admi seems to be loosing its shine before the political vendetta and priority of the party and leaders.

Bijli, sarak aur pani the new edition in the political lexicon found little space in the political discourse even though Tamar is an agricultural belt where people have been demanding irrigation facilities from quite some times.

The campaigning here has been veering around the local versus outsider. Even despite his all Jharkhand acceptability, Soren has been largely projected as an outsider. The detractors of Soren are still not allowing him to go beyond his Santhal identity. However, the JMM sources said that they would be able expand their bandwidth and trying to impress the people with the gain they could get if their constituency is represented by the Chief Minister.

Congress which literally forced Soren to kick out two of his Cabinet Minister Ainosh Ekka and Harinarayan Roy has come to his aide. The in-charge of State Congress Abdul Mannan along with other party leaders toured Tamar on Saturday.

Political honeymoon of Hani Koda

UPA seeks another spell of honeymoon with Madhu Koda

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Saturday, December 20, 2008

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) may be patting its back for taking the 'bold decision' which necessitated the exit of two Cabinet Ministers—Ainosh Ekka and Harinarayan Roy—but all eyes are now riveted on Chief Minister Shibu Soren who has to perform the major task of inducting two new faces in the Cabinet.

But, the State Congress is working on two well-calculated strategies, both for long and short terms, one for the possible induction of new faces in the Cabinet, but the other strategy of the Congress might just open up a Pandora's box _ which the party would reveal only if Soren faces rout in Tamar by-election.

Informed sources within the Congress confided that State party president Pradeep Balmuchu was also willing to join the Cabinet provided the Central leadership gives green signal to it. However the official version of the Congress termed the speculation untenable.

The Congress leaders may apparently exude hope for the victory of Soren despite hurdles and determined opposition placed in his way. But nonetheless they are well aware of the ground reality and realpolitik that may not be politically ominous for Shibu.
Party sources did not deny the possibility, that the Congress might stake claim for the post of the State premier if Soren fails to enter the State Assembly from Tamar- asking the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha to extend support,

Meanwhile, the UPA is working on the formula to neutralize the collective political strength of the independent MLAs by making a dent into their fold. Well-placed sources maintained that the names of few more Ministers might appear on the other side of the firing line.
Erstwhile Chief Minister Madhu Koda who was sulking on the political margin after his removal as Chief Minister some three months back is being wooed to join the Cabinet as Rural Development Minister, the informed sources said.

However Koda refused to speak his mind over his proposed induction in the Cabinet on Thursday evening while rubbing his shoulder with other UPA leaders announcing and supporting the decision to remove two of his former Cabinet duumvirs.

It was not a determined Soren who on Thursday spelled his farman to remove Ekka and Roy. It was rather the Balmuchu effect, which forced Soren to fire his Cabinet colleagues after the former threatened 'no more support' to him if he failed to axe Ekka and Roy. The sources said that Soren wanted to defer the decision till the by-election of Tamar, but unfortunately failed to be in the command of the situation.

See you at Tamar Soren

Soren talks tough

Fires Ainosh and Harinarayan Rai

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Friday, December 19, 2008

The ongoing political melodrama in Jharkhand reached its crescendo when Chief Minister Shibu Soren sacked Rural Development Minister Ainosh Ekka and Urban Development Minister Harinarayan Roy from his Cabinet on Thursday. This took place immediately after the Assembly passed the supplementary Budget. With this decision Soren passed on the message to his political rivals that he too could talk and act tough.

Soren had earlier said that Ekka could be removed from the Cabinet if he did not withdraw his party candidate Raja Peter from the electoral fray of Tamar.
A formal notification removing the two ministers is likely to be issued by Friday evening after acting Governor RL Bhatia approves the recommendations.

Soren sent the recommendation to remove the two ministers to Raj Bhavan through his Principal Secretary BK Tripathi on Thursday evening. Tripathi handed over the recommendation sent in a sealed envelope to the Principal Secretary to Governor Sudhir Tripathi who has sent it to Patna through a special emissary.

Since Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibtey Razi has gone on Haj, Bihar Governor RL Bhatia is also in charge of Jharkhand.

Earlier in an unexpected media briefing on the sidelines of the second day of the winter session of the State Assembly Soren announced this decision and said: "I decided to drop Ainosh Ekka and Harinarayan Roy from the Cabinet as they have been facing corruption charges and the Vigilance Department has been investigating into this"

Just after the conclusion of the session the UPA leaders held an in-camera meeting to take a final decision on the removal of both the Ministers and stressed that it was high time when Soren should show a brave face. The meeting was attended by Jharkhand UPA Steering Committee chairperson Madhu Koda besides others. Koda also supported the decision of the UPA but evaded the issue of his possible induction in the Cabinet. But well-placed sources confided Koda could be inducted in the Cabinet.

Soren also added that it was not in the interest of the State to retain both of them as their retention might stymie the investigation against them. When mediapersons popped question on whether or not the decision would weaken the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in Jharkhand; Soren said that it was the collective decision of the UPA and the fear was unwarranted.

However the decision was well anticipated as well-placed sources in the UPA had hinted drop a day before that the duo could be dropped just after the supplementary Budget. Even Soren was under pressure to talk hard on this issue after the belligerent Ekka refused to withdraw his party nominee Raja Peter from the by-election of Tamar where Soren has been contesting as an official candidate of the UPA.

The hint of the likely departure of Ekka became clearer after the absence of the Minister from the House during money bill. While reacting over the decision Ekka said: "I feel relieved after the decision was taken and want to congratulate honourable Chief Minister Shibu Soren and my friends in the UPA who scripted this decision…but I am more resolute. Let Guruji (Soren) come to Tamar and get a bitter taste of defeat. My party and candidate are there in Tamar to make him realise his potential."Hardening his stand against the UPA and Soren, Ekka termed the decision as politically motivated and said that Soren and his chosen ilk could not digest the popularity of his party (Jharkhand Party) in Jharkhand and Tamar.

"Their hard talk did not work; forked tongue could not deter me and now they have resorted to arm twisting me…let them do it I will not budge from my stand. They are taking refuge behind Vigilance cases to remove me. Let them speak honestly that they (UPA) removed me because I did not remove my candidate", Ekka said in a barbed tone.

Prize head

UPA allies clamour for Ainosh’s head

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Thursday, December 18, 2008

On Tuesday night Chief Minister Shibu Soren had claimed a decision on belligerent Rural Development Minister Ainosh Ekka would be taken by Wednesday morning, but he has now sought more time to arrive at any final decision. He said he needed two-three more days to seriously ponder over the issue.

Soren seems to be buying time over the removal of Ekka after the refusal of the latter to withdraw his party candidate Raja Peter from the by-election of Tamar Assembly constituency in the favour of Soren.

Soren is however under pressure from within the UPA allies of Jharkhand to drop the Minister after the supplementary budget was passed by the House, the sources said. Soren whose political stature came under the direct firing line would hardly like to invite another political trouble for himself by firing Ekka in between the six-day long winter session which started from Wednesday.

Emerging out after the first day of the winter session of the State Assembly, Soren said on Wednesday: "The decision will not be taken in haste. We need a further consultation among our UPA allies…but a decision could be taken within two or three days." Meanwhile Ekka fired a fresh salvo against the hardening stance of the UPA and said that none of the UPA leaders talked to him on the issue…Soren himself would be responsible for his rout, he said.

Ekka also took a dig at his removal from the Cabinet: "I am saddened that the UPA is still thinking over my removal…they should have removed me long back. They held a meeting but could not come to any conclusion? It distresses me," he said."It is no 'offence' if the Jharkhand Party fielded Raja Peter from Tamar. It was well within the knowledge of him (Soren) who gave me a go-ahead signal", he said.

His stand was partially vindicated by independent MLA and Water Resource Minister Kamlesh Kumar Singh who accepted that Ekka executed the decision to put up Peter for the election only after Soren stated clearly his decision not to contest from Tamar. But he said: "It is very much reasonable when a Chief Minister is in the fray other allies of the Government should not jeopardize his electoral prospects." Ekka who came to attend the Assembly session without his official vehicle indicated the days of political honeymoon was over and it was to time to lock horns with Soren in the battlefield of Tamar.

From here he directly drove to Tamar for campaign leaving the UPA partners to hold another meeting on Wednesday to bundle him out politically. On finding it hard to tame the defiant Minister who on Tuesday the UPA dared fold to take all recourses to make the Chief Minister win; the UPA has been forced to play out a more finely calibrated strategy than mere conventional trading of charges.

The splintered view within the UPA however cited that it was best to concentrate on election strategy and winning 'independent friends' to isolate Ekka

Peter to contest from Tamar

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Tamar is heading towards an intense and interesting electoral warfare. The browbeating of Chief Minister Shibu Soren failed to persuade beleaguered Minister of the State Cabinet and president Jharkhand Party, Ainosh Ekka, to withdraw his party candidate Gopal Krishna Patar alias Raja Peter from the electoral battlefield in favour of Soren.

Monday, the last day to withdraw nomination left Soren and the UPA leaders marooned. Peter withdrew his nomination but as an independent, not as Jharkhand Party candidate. The refusal of Ekka to withdraw Peter, his political boy, must have saddened the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the UPA leaders of Jharkhand who hoped for some miracle to come.

Meanwhile, the UPA would hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday to draw further strategy after the Minister refused to fall in line. Whether Ekka should be ousted from the Cabinet could be decided in the meeting.

But there was a miracle in favour of Ekka and his party, which got a shot in its arm followed by the decision of the Election Commission (EC). As per the claim made by Ekka, the EC has recognised Jharkhand Party, the faction led by him as the original party against the claim of another faction led by the departed grand old man of Jharkhand politics NE Horo.

However, the returning officer and SDO Bundu Anil Kumar Poddar refused to divulge anything about this citing it an official matter.

According to official sources two of the candidates - Harisingh Munda and Raja Peter - (who had filed nomination as independents) withdrew their nominations. For Tamar by-election 20 candidates had filed their nominations out of which four nominations were rejected during the scrutiny.

Speaking to The Pioneer in a barb tone Ekka said: "I stand by my word…it was the decision of my party and workers to field Peter…however I was ready for compromise but was portrayed as a villain. Now I am not ready to swallow my words. Peter would contest election as an official candidate of the Jharkhand Party."

The Minister who does not mind even if his head is rolled out; after he cared a fig about the demarche served upon him by Soren blamed the UPA leadership for not getting this issue resolved amicably. Finding himself in an inclement political situation after the decision of the Minister Soren is left in a volatile situation.

However, Soren tried for a thaw after he warned Ekka to withdraw Peter from election or be ready for exit from the Cabinet. The JMM sources claimed that Soren held three such meetings with Ekka to toe the UPA line.

But the meeting came to naught after Ekka refused to understand the coalition dharma.

But contrary to this Ekka termed the JMM claim as baseless and said; "I tried to be reason with them (UPA leader) but the situation was made hostile for me… my words and arguments were not listened to."

After its formation as a separate State; Jharkhand has undergone six by-elections so far; but none of these elections and its campaign have generated such curiosity so far. The fate of the State Government now hinges upon the decision of the electorate.

Tamar is all set to witness a triangular contest among Soren, Vasundhara Munda of the JD (U) and Raja Peter of the Jharkhand Party. For a novice in politics like Vasundhara there is very much to gain in the election. However, Jharkhand's NDA will be under pressure to retain its seat despite a sympathy wave its claims having in its kitty. But for Soren it is a litmus test of his popularity against the cross wave of sympathy and the claimed popularity of Peter, a young man and good orator with long hair.

Is it faux pas of fax or DC misleading facts?

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, December 15, 2008

It is not a case of fa(u)x pas of the fax that led two of the top officials of the State Government to lock their horns. Let Deputy Commissioner Ranchi, Rajiv Arun Ekka claim having not received any fax from the office of the former Cabinet Co-ordination Secretary PK Jajoria to accord 'State honour' to the former Minister and Jharkhand Party leader N E Horo but his office seems to have received the copy of the fax on 6.41 p m on last Thursday.

His office not only received the fax copy but the DC is learnt to have marked it to Nazarat DC for appropriate action on the same date- December 11. The Pioneer is in the possession of the copy (in the picture) which bears the seal of the office of DC, confidential section (top on the left), along with his initial below.

Now as a damage controlling exercise the State Government decided to pay tribute to N E Horo near the Project Building (State secretariat) on Sunday. But the damage has already been done. Earlier Chief Minister Shibu Soren had announced national mourning but the last rites of this late octogenarian leader were performed without State honour. Both the State Government and its top officials are left with a task to cover this classic erroneous mistake with a fine blame game. For these officials it was not as serious as termed by the media. One such official said: "What the hell if the copy was not received, Koi pahar to nahi toot gaya. DC is not supposed to be the fax operator."

On being informed that The Pioneer was in possession of a copy bearing the following particulars mentioned above which contradicts his claim Ekka said: “I did not receive any such fax or communication in this regard.”

Spurning the claim of the official Jajoria said: “That day alone we sent five such faxes to his (DC) office and action was taken. Now how can one claim having not received 'this fax of important nature', we have the confirmation report of the receiving of the fax,” he added.

Interestingly the copy of the letter to accord 'State honour' to Horo was sent to DCs and SPs of Ranchi, Khunti and Simdega simultaneously but all of them declined to have received it. After Ekka the DC of Simdega and Khunti said that they did not receive the copy. The axe finally fell upon Jajoria who was removed from his office after the State Government was criticised for not giving due respect to Horo.

The leaders and officials of Jharkhand would pay tribute to Horo in a glowing term as an institution that spearheaded the movement for a separate Jharkhand. But that a hero like Horo really deserves such treatment that needed to be answered by the State Government which is still caught between fax and faux pas.