The grassroots problem

Jharkhand was cut out from Bihar after a protracted struggle for a separate state. Though the resource-rich state with a largely adivasi population showed early flickers of living up to its economic promise,the Jharkhand story has been steadily coming apart since. Naxalite violence and extortion is common,and governance schemes have foundered. PDS,pensions,and social benefits dont reach many citizens,and the states employment rate is among the lowest in the country. The underlying problem,though,is the failure of political parties to mobilise and bring together constituencies. Non-parliamentary popular movements hold greater sway in this troubled state. Unlike in its siblings,Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand all three states were created in 2000 no party has acquired and held on to serious electoral heft. In fact,parties have even been reduced to propping up a government of independent MLAs. Jharkhand has had eight chief ministers between 2001 and 2012,and presidents rule has been imposed three times.

While the small size of the assembly in a socially diverse state creates problems of its own,the feeble hold of mainstream parties has led to badly fractured electoral verdicts,making government formation difficult,and encouraging powerful independent legislators to command their own terms for support. This inability of mainstream parties to sufficiently engage Jharkhands diverse electorate,present distinct ideological platforms and credible claims of representation,has meant that independent political entrepreneurs have captured decision-making. The solutions do not lie in last-minute bargains like the one that is being put together now,but in sustained ground-level political work.