Water Politics in Jharkhand!

As Thomas Mann rightly said everything is politics. If you are a politician, you need to politicise everything. This time around the politicians of Jharkhand have made water their battleground.

 The Santhal Parganas region spread over 6 districts and 18 constituencies forms the most arid region in the state. Only 3% households in the region enjoy tap water facilities, while 62% depend on hand pumps and 28% on wells. But the wells and hand pumps go dry during summer. The irony is that the area is blessed with major rivers and sub-rivers. The region has given three JMM chief ministers including the current Hemant Soren.

“If our government comes to power, we will ensure tap water to every house under Modiji’s Central programme,” said Devidhan Tudu, a BJP candidate. But JMM was quick in reacting by saying that BJP was in power in Jharkhand for more than 8 years and couldn’t do anything while JMM has started many irrigation and drinking water projects.

Here what stands out as a glimmer of hope is that the issue of discussions and blaming has shifted from the usual religion and caste based nonsense to some issues that really matters to the people. If, even in the competitive spirit, and not in the spirit of social commitment, one of these parties does something good, it could practically help lots of people in a meaningful manner.

Rather than lamenting about stupid sentimental issue which never has any material value, politics and India could develop substantially if the onus of politicians changes to such subjects.