RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, June 22: A day before the Mandar by-election, Muslim voters are the focus of attention as three prominent candidates, including Shilpi Neha Tirkey of the Congress party, Gangotri Kujur of the BJP, and Dev Kumar Dhan of the independent group, are expected to engage in a triangular struggle.
Although AIMIM President Barrister Asaduddin Owaisi exhorted Muslims to support Dhan during his visit to Mandar, local political experts claimed it is highly unlikely that Muslims in Jharkhand will abide by the orders of a politician with a Hyderabad address. In addition, a local political expert stated that Muslims must pay heed to the “Jolha Kolha Bhaia Bhai equation” and support the candidate who has the best chance of defeating the BJP.
On the other hand, some political experts predict that the issues of corruption and dynastic politics will certainly dominate on election day and could prove decisive.
“After being found guilty in a CBI case, Bandhu Tirkey ran against his daughter Shilpi Neha Tirkey. Hemant Soren, the chief minister and a supporter of Tirkey, is accused of engaging in dynastic politics as well as corruption. Therefore, it is most possible that some of the UPA’s longtime followers will turn against them this time in order to teach them a lesson,” a political analyst said.
BJP officials, including Arjun Munda, Deepak Prakash, and Babulal Marandi, among others, have gauged public sentiment and have focused on the topic during their high-pitched campaign, the analyst added.
When approached, the major contenders and their staff were fully confident in their ability to win the election despite the speculations.
When asked how certain she was of winning the election, Shilpi Tirkey laughed and replied, “I am both confident and anxious.”
She said, “Jo Mehnat Karta Hai Wahi Nervous Bhi Hota Hai,” when asked why she was anxious.
“The people’s commitment to seek revenge of wrong done with my father (Bandhu Tirkey) and their desire to elect an educated lady like me from the constituency,” she said when asked what two things are in her favour.
Lagatar24.com was unable to reach BJP candidate Kujur or independent candidate Dhan. They were busy making last preparations for their elections.
When Karishma dialled Dhan’s number, she received the response, “Kahan Gaye Hain Nahi Bata Sakte Hain.” However, the woman was convinced that Dhan would win the election.
“Humlog Parivarvad Se Door Siksha, Garibi, Swasthya Aur Sinchai ke mudde Par Chunav Lad Rahe Hain. (Away from dynasty politics, we are running for office on the issues of education, poverty, health, and irrigation, and the public is supporting us)”, said Karishma.
BJP state president Deepak Prakash said, “Jeet Sau Phisadi (victory is 100 percent).” Asked how he was so confident, he said: “Voters of Mandar constituency have properly observed how JMM and Congress are promoting dynastic politics and corruption in the state and have planned to teach them a lesson in the election.”
In the 2019 main assembly election, Bandhu Tirkey of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) won the seat by defeating Deo Kumar Dhan with a margin of 23127 votes. Dhan was a BJP candidate in that election. Tirkey had got 92491 votes while Dhan had got 69,364 votes. In that election, Shishir Lakra of AIMIM had got 23592 votes and had stood third followed by Hemlata Oraon of AJSU (P) who had got 15,708 votes and Sunny Toppo of Indian National Congress who had got 8840 votes and NOTA counted 3,895.
Kujur had won the 2014 election with a margin of nearly 8000 votes. She had got 54200 votes and defeated Bandhu Tirkey had got 46595 votes. Dhan, who was then contested as an independent candidate got 38801 and emerged third.