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.  

Jharkhand waiting for sweet speeches!

          “Modi is a storm that will blow away the opponents,” said Trivendra Singh Rawat, BJP’s Jharkhand in-charge. “Panic bells have started ringing in the BJP camp. They know they will be restricted to 20-22 seats. Hence, they are clinging on to the Prime Minister’s shoes,” said JMM’s Latehar candidate Prakash Ram.

The war of words grows stronger and stronger in Jharkhand. As the secular parties consisting of JMM, Congress, RJD and JD(U) are strong BJP faces a stiff challenge in the state. Comments from senior BJP leaders indicate that they were unable to create pro-BJP sentiments in the state and that they are waiting for Modi to create them.

The incumbent JMM is strong and so is all other parties. BJP on its own wasn’t much of a worry till date. But Modi could bring about a change in the power distribution and that is dangerous to everybody.

The powers of secular parties are decreasing; RSS through BJP and BJP through Modi’s speeches are gaining ground.  Verily, Modi’s speeches have the magic to create pro-Modi sentiments but entire state politics depending on the speeches of one man is an insult to democracy.