Munda promises bijli, pani, sadak to rural voters

Sanjay Ojha / TNN / Apr 20, 2009, 07:20 IST

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BJP candidate from Jamshedpur and two-term CM Arjun Munda knows well that neither money nor post helps in winning elections. It is only the voters' confidence in a leader that matters most, and nothing else.

Munda promises bijli, pani, sadak to rural voters

JAMSHEDPUR: BJP candidate from Jamshedpur and two-term CM Arjun Munda knows well that neither money nor post helps in winning elections. It is only the voters' confidence in a leader that matters most, and nothing else.
This realization was evident when Munda began his whirlwind tour of 60 villages in and around Baharagoa, about 100 kms from Jamshedpur, on Saturday from Gaurango Apartments at Sakchi around 7.30 am.
"It's already late and I cannot delay any more," said a visibly anxious Munda to his campaign manager. "I've to cover a distance of 100 kms before I actually begin the campaigning," he added.
Clad in a pair of white kurta-pyjama, maroon jacket and a pair of sneakers, Munda rushes towards the black SUV waiting for him. Two other vehicles comprising his supporters follow him.

Asked about his anxiety and prospects of winning the elections, Munda said: "I know that people are making false propaganda in the area about the use of money to woo voters. I am sure people know the truth behind the allegations... they are also aware of how sincerely I've been working for development of the constituency I've been representing for over a decade."
At Chitreshwar village, on the Jharkhand-Orissa border, local BJP MLA and former state health minister Dinesh Kumar Sarangi joins him. The moment Munda's motorcade stops at the village, a huge crowd of supporters rush towards the former CM.

It was on seeing the large number of supporters Munda's face lights up.
The politician in him knows that national issues such as black money and increase in I-T rebate slab raised by his party will not attract voters' attention. And not surprisingly, he talks about cheap houses under the Deendayal Awas Yojan and government support for marriage of girl child belonging to economically weaker sections, instead.
"You all know how much the Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojna started by my government helped parents at time of their daughter's marriage. We also gave low cost housing under the Deendayal Awas Yojna to provide permanent shelter to families from weaker sections," Munda said, adding: "People in the state know how the UPA-led government in the state stopped these popular schemes."
It was only at Pachando, a village dominated by Oriya-speaking people, Munda prefers to talk BJP electorate plank of all-round development and even takes dig at the sitting Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Suman Mahato. The shift in strategy is not surprising. For, Pachando is known for its high literacy rate and everyone here is a literate.
"I request the learned people of this village to caste their vote in favour of a candidate who can take up their issues in the Lok Sabha and strive for development of the area. The vote should not be wasted on a candidate who never talks about the constituency in the highest panchayat (Lok Sabha) of the country," Munda said without naming Mahato.
At Kumardubhi, Munda had to face questions, particularly from the women voters, who rued the lack of irrigation facility, potable water and electricity. "We want irrigation, drinking water and electricity. We will vote for a leader who can assure us of these facilities," said Anjana Das.
Realizing the pulse Munda came up with an answer. "I had a plan for development of the area which would have improved power situation and irrigation. Before I would convert it into reality, my government was dislodged," he said blaming the UPA.
By 5 pm Munda covered about 45 villages. There is no sign of tiredness, though. He still has to cover about 15 more villages in the next three to four hours. Not without reason, he is still full of energy. Wooing every voter to his side this election season is of prime importance, after all.

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