Jharkhand - In a state of political mess

It’s the very first assembly election of the state but there is nothing to cheer about it. For, the state has inherited what it intended, at least in theory, to leave behind--the filthy politics of its parent state.

For, after five years of its creations, the election should have been fought on the issue of development and growth but unfortunately, underdevelopment is the often quoted term used for the state of Jharkhand.

And, if the incumbent BJP government failed to give a vision of development and a reason to hope, the choices available in the ongoing election do not give any vibes for development and progress either. Such, unfortunately, is the condition of the state polity as it goes for the polls for the very first time in its history.

Is this the reason, why so many people struggled so hard for years together, shedding their blood and sacrificing their lives?

Politicians are definitely to be blamed for so mercilessly butchering the hopes of the citizens and giving them a cause for dismay. They are also to be blamed for the growth of Naxalism in the state—a product of anarchy, which in turn is giving birth to chaos and lawlessness. Or, in other words, they are solely to be blamed creating a vicious cycle of underdevelopment and bedlam which will continue to dog the state for years together.

What else can be said, for naxalism was restricted to three districts five years back and today the their tentacles are firmly established in all the 18 districts of the state.

And, what can be expected of the leaders who were trained in the perverse political environment of Bihar polity. Some even believe that the condition of Jharkhand polity is worse than that of Bihar.

It is indeed very sad for the state, so rich in its natural resources-- having huge reserves of coal, copper, bauxite, mica, iron ore and ceramics. A state - possessing several industries dealing in steel, aluminum, cement, chemicals, jute, sugar, electrical equipment and fertilizer talking about underdevelopment. It should rather have been giving competition to the states like Punjab and Karnataka.

But this is not to be, for so long as the caste and vote bank continue to dominate political scene crime and corruption is what it will produce in plenty. One cannot expect a vision and a mission for rapid economic progress, employment and a curb on naxalism from the government.

For, anything can be done to gain a seat of power here. Any type of alliance and any compromise can be made. People who are thirsty for each others blood can come together. Hug each other in front of the shutterbugs and praise each other. But, in the next election when the power equation so demand wash each others dirty linen in public. ..such is the lure for power... and such is the mess in the state of Jharkhand.