SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, May 23: While bare 36 hours are left in the 6th phase of Lok Sabha voting, social-political scenarios suggest the Dhanbad seat has this time trapped in caste politics and an internal-external equation.
Though game-changer classes have not opened their card openly in favour of any particular party or candidate, their resolution to vote for a clean face candidate in the election itself speaks their mindset about whom they will support.
25 candidates in Dhanbad
There are 25 candidates in Dhanbad including transgender contestant Sunaina Singh but the triangular contest between NDA (BJP) candidate Dhulu Mahto, INDI Alliance (Cong) nominee Anupama Singh and Marxist Co-ordination Committee Jagdish Rawani looms large.
The total voters of the Dhanbad Lok Sabha (which comprises the Dhanbad- Bokaro areas) is 22.78 lakh.
Caste arithmetic in Dhanbad
As per unofficial figures, Mahto votes (around 5.98 lakh) are highest in the Dhanbad Lok Sabha seat followed by Muslims around 4.60 lakh, Brahmins around 3 lakh, Rajputs around 2.5 lakh, Bramarshi around 2.30 lakh, Kayastha around 1.67 lakh and others.
The Rajput community has not disclosed their card officially but it is understood that the majority of members are annoyed with the BJP for denying the ticket to 3 times sitting MP PN Singh.
Kayasthas, Brahmins and Bramarshis have announced to vote based on candidate qualification, and not on party basis.
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Muslim voters
Muslim voters of Dhanbad are traditionally against the BJP. However, BJP leader Zubair Alam claimed Muslim voters will vote on their conscience, not on any conception. Though the Muslim candidate of Jharkhandi Bhasha Sangharsh Samiti of Jayaram Mahto is also in the field, he is being considered a ‘Votkatwa’ and allegedly a dummy candidate of the BJP.
Controversy on Vidyapati Samiti support
The claim of the BJP to have the support of Vidyapati Samiti in the election has snowballed into controversy. Dhulu Mahto held a meeting with Vidyapati Samiti on May 3 and the BJP claimed to have got its support. Congress candidate Anupama Singh also held a meeting on May 5. Over 5 lakh Maithils ( different castes) are in Dhanbad Lok Sabha area.
However, Dhanbad Vidyapati Samiti president SK Mishra said that since his Samiti is a non-political social organization there is no question of giving support to any political party. “ Maithils are intellectuals and they would vote on their conscience. We only appeal to Maithils to vote with their families,” said Mishra.
Brahmarshi Samaj divided
Brahmarshi Samaj which is a political dominant force in Dhanbad is divided over supporting the BJP.
A group of Brahmarshi Samaj members held a meeting with Dhulu Mahto and announced Samaj’s support to him. But another group said that merely 500 people were at the meeting under Suresh Choudhary. They questioned how they supported on behalf of the Samaj without obtaining consent.
“It is an election for MP, not PM. Brahmarshi members are intelligent enough to select who could be the better MP,” said Shailesh Singh.
Another group held a meeting at Jharia on Wednesday and called upon to vote for a clean face candidate.
Mahto voters divided
Mahto voters are also divided into houses over support for Dhulu Mahto and MCC candidate Jagdish Rawani. MCC has a stronghold in Sindri, Chandankyari and Nirsa. PN Singh had bagged the highest number of votes in Jharkhand.
