Bapu goes to battle with fallen soldiersSantanu SaraswatiJama (Dumka), May 24—He is “Bapu” to his loyalists. But in the State JMM-S, the name of Shibu Soren evokes none of the pacific sentiments associated with Mahatma.The man who cleaved the apparently united green color “bow and arrow” in 1977 and demanded to become the first Chief Minister of Jharkhand in 2000 with the support of the saffronites, is now the BJP’s enemy number one. Saffron workers refer to the JMM-S chief as “dalal” (pimp) of the Congress, a shameful man, someone they would love to see with a bloody nose.But Soren, who has the reputation of being one of the wiliest politicians in the State, is unfazed. He knows he has a few aces up his sleeve, aces that the BJP with all its venom and vitriol may not be able to match.The former Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council chairman’s political juggernaut is set to bulldoze its way through Dumka and reach Parliament this summer. His last minute refusal to seat for the BJP even after wining the Rajya Sabha seat for six years, was just part of his strategy. He knew Dumka would be his for taking.He seemed confident when saying: “Aare yeh Saotar uskey paisey se daru piyega, hadia piyega, lekin sabare pessap karney ke bad saab bhul jayega aur tir dhanush mein button dabayega” (This tribal will drink their wine, their country liquor, but in the morning after urinating they would forget everything and will press the button on the bow and arrow) by pointing finger towards a smiling admirer. The “laughing guru” again smiles, but at the crowd, expecting to hear his magical voice: “Shikari ayega, jaal bichayga, lobh dikhakey dana bhi dalega, lekin lobh mein fasna nehi” (The huntsmen will come and would spread their net to attract you. They will even give you food. But don’t come under their net). Soren, who contested from this seat in 1977, has returned as the prodigal son. The tide is in his favor like the beats of dhamsa madal and not even the frantic appeals of Chief Minister Babulal Marandi to the Dumka electorate to vote for the BJP have turned it against him.The Congress, too, here is campaigning against Shibu Soren saying that the JMM-S has merged with the National Democratic Alliance, again, by supporting the Samata Party candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat. Soren knows well which cord he needs to strike to get the votes. Like one skilled in the martial arts, he has used the BJP’s own strength and forward thrust to throw it down on the mat. He said: “Babulal Marandi, Shibu Soren niel teye botorok kana. Jotet lekhan do artho cut` leka ko^choi. (Babulal Marandi is afraid of Shibu Soren. He will reduce to ashes if touches me). Campaigning in Jama, he asks a 20,000 crowd: “Where is the temple that the BJP had promised?” A bit of histrionics is thrown in as well: “So many kar sewaks shed their blood for the Ram Mandir, but where is it? Can the BJP account their blood? Now the temple is not even their agenda. And if you don’t believe me ask Vajpayee.”“The BJP has changed their agenda. They are now telling dharma pariwartan se Santhal nehi, Anusuchit janjatio nehi as par the diktats of the Sangh Pariwar. Aare bhai yeh kaun kanun hein? Dharam ka thika kya BJP wala-ne liya? (What is this new law? Does the BJP has taken the contract of religion?) The crowd nodded their head obediently as they understand this common men’s language more than anything.
santanu_saraswati@hotmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment