SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 26: In the 2024 Jharkhand assembly elections, trade union leaders continued their dominance in the coal-rich districts of Dhanbad and Bokaro. Out of the 10 seats in these two regions, trade union leaders secured victory in six, underscoring their influence in the local political landscape. Since the first elections in 1952, trade union leaders have maintained a strong presence in these areas.
Bokaro: Union leaders secure key victories
In Bokaro, union leaders clinched two of the four available seats. Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Union (RCMU) national president Jaimangal Singh, also known as Anup Singh, won the Bermo seat on the Congress ticket.
Sweta Singh, the supreme leader of the Kolliery Karmchari Sangh (KKS) and daughter-in-law of Samresh Singh, won the Bokaro Sadar seat on the Congress ticket. This marks another success for trade union figures in the region, further solidifying their political influence.
Dhanbad: Trade union leaders continue to win
In Dhanbad, trade union leaders were victorious in four out of six seats. Arup Chatterjee, General Secretary of the Bihar Colliery Karmchari Sangh (CITU), won the Nirsa seat on the CPIML ticket.
Ragni Singh, General Secretary of Janata Mazdoor Singh (JMS), triumphed in the Jharia constituency on the BJP ticket.
Jharia is a traditional seat for the JMS, where leaders like the late Surdeo Singh and his family have historically held power. The seat was held by JMS founder and general secretary, the late Surdeo Singh, who won it consecutively from 1977 to 1990.
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After his passing, his legacy continued with his younger brother, Bachha Singh, who won in 2000. Surdeo Singh’s wife, Kunti Singh, secured the seat in 2005, followed by their son-in-law, Sanjiv Singh (husband of Ragni Singh), who won in both 2009 and 2014.
Additionally, Mathura Prasad Mahto, Vice-President of Jharkhand Colliery Karmchari Sangh (JMM), won from Tundi, while Shatrughan Mahto, AITUC leader, secured the Baghmara seat on the BJP ticket.
Despite the significant victories, two trade union leaders, Aparna Sengupta (Nirsa) and Purnima Singh (Jharia), were defeated in the elections.
Diverse opinions on trade union influence
Veteran trade union leader AK Jha, General Secretary of the Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Sangh, expressed his view that the results highlight the continued dominance of trade unions in the region. He remarked, “During the regime of undivided Bihar, there were 12 Lok Sabha seats in North Chhotanagpur and Santhal Pargana on which trade union leaders (tribal and non-tribal) used to win.”
However, Lakhan Lal Mahto, a senior trade union leader from the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), disagreed with this assessment. He stated, “Trade unions do not contest elections. Those who have won are, of course, holding posts in trade unions and most of them are political leaders.” Mahto also pointed out the declining influence of trade unions, citing the reduction in workers at Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) from 1.65 lakh to merely 30,000-32,000. “So, how can we claim dominance of trade unions?” he questioned.
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While trade union leaders continue to play a key role in the electoral victories of Dhanbad and Bokaro, opinions differ on the true extent of their influence. Despite the challenges faced by the unions, their political presence remains significant in the region, with the 2024 results reflecting the ongoing importance of trade union leaders in local politics.
