Eye on JMM space, Marandi faces Soren

The BJP considers itself a contender, but all eyes are on these two. The BJP is counting on a vote split. “Billi ka ladayi mein bandar lejaayega (In the fight between cats, a monkey will win),” a BJP leader quipped.

Soren has contested LS polls nine times from Dumka, winning seven times and Marandi contested four times losing to Soren twice. Marandi won twice, once against Soren and once against his wife. Marandi debuted against Soren in 1991 and lost. Soren, born in Ramgarh district, came to Santhal Pargana in the late 1960s to lead the fight against exploitative moneylenders. Marandi, from Giridih, was sent by RSS to strengthen shakhas in the 1980s.

Marandi sees the JVM(P) as a replacement for the JMM here. The JMM seems to have no vision for the state. Replacing JMM in Santhal Pargana is easier said than done and Marandi will need an identity, grassroots network and financial backing.

Marandi and JVM(P) identity is the core issue. The JVM(P) is also searching for a votebank.

There is a feeling his Sangh training has shorn Marandi of his Santhali identity. “Marandi is not a tribal activist. He is a VHP activist,” said BJP leader Saryu Rai. “Babulal is more diku than tribe,” said Sanjay Basu Mallick, forest rights campaigner. Santhalis refer to outsiders as “dikus”.

“He believes he is a true Santhal and if elected from Santhal Pargana, will be the Santhal leader of Jharkhand…At the same time, he remains reliant on dikus (for financial backing),” Mallick says.

Mallick believes there is a dearth of adivasi leaders.

Marandi’s RSS days and BJP background had drawn mostly dikus (outsiders) to JVM. Anti-displacement activists did not really trust him until his agitation against Panem Coal Mines in 2012. “He made a significant move by agitating against Panem. It did not make much difference to those affected, but was symbolic… the JMM averted its eyes. Babulal is the first to suggest land-for-land for large projects, indicating vision,” said an individual associated with an NGO.

“I want to be a leader of the poor,” Marandi said. When prodded, he added, “Tribals are the poorest; 20 to 25 lakh have been displaced. A fight for the poor essentially becomes a fight for tribals.”