Tribal party may become BJP's hurdle

KHUNTI: Khunti seat has been Bharatiya Janata Party's stronghold with current Lok Sabha deputy speaker Karia Munda representing it for seven terms.
Though BJP has won the seat six times, there is no reason to overlook Congress's strength in Khunti. In 2004, Sushila Kerketta, a local leader, had defeated BJP veteran Munda with a margin of 49,000 votes.Congress has represented the seat for four times.
Jharkhand Party, which tries to give voice to the tribals' demand, has also represented it four times.
A powerful tribal leader, Enosh Ekka, is contesting on Jharkhand Party ticket. Political observers say he might pose a tough challenge to 77-year-old Munda.
Ekka, 44, does hectic campaigns covering the length and breadth of the Naxalite-hit areas. But Munda has to depend on BJP workers who are working day and night.
"Today I did not go to campaign because I was not feeling well," Munda told TOI at his house in Anigara on Saturday.
But the veteran leader is banking on Narendra Modi wave. "I have requested Modiji to come to address a rally in my constituency. I hope he does," said Munda.
The BJP campaign van roams around in urban and rural Khunti alike singing hosanna to Modi and his Gujarat. "Yes there is strong Modi wave even in rural parts. Everyone wants to make him PM," he added.
Congress suffered defections in the run-up to the polls. Senior Congress leader Niyel Tirkey, who had lost to Karia Munda in 2009 even though he got 1.30 lakh votes, quit the party.
Niyel who changed sides is contesting on Ajsu Party ticket. Congress candidate Kalicharan Munda has been busy in hectic campaigns. "People are with me and I will win," he said.
In the political equations new political entrant and AAP candidate, Dayamani Barla, known across Jharkhand's tribal belts for her agitations against land encroachment, is a woman to watch out for. She has been camping in Khunti for weeks now, ever since Arvind Kejriwal office announced her as official candidate.
The 44-year-old post graduate convinces tribals here that it is she who can do what others failed to do.
"I will take care of the rights of the tribals. No one has protected their rights to land, forest and water before," said Barla.
Jharkhand Party seems to have got efficient people working for its candidate Enosh Ekka. In several villages Ekka has organized foot-march and assured people that he would take care of them better than the current MP.
But people in Khunti are fed up with everyday violence. They have seen enough death. Now they want a life which is lively. They have seen enough darkness, they want to see light. Many are jobless and want to work. The election commission has done hectic campaigns in Khunti to aware people about the right to vote.
"My vote will go to the one who will sincerely promise to do it all," said Binsai Munda, a 30-year-old man sipping tea at a roadside shop.