Campaigners of rival parties lock horns in Hatia by-election

Despite having intolerable heat wave ranging between 43 to 45 degrees for the last one week, enthusiasm among the campaigners of the candidates contesting Jharkhand Assembly bye-election on June 12 has not died away.

The Hatia assembly seat had fallen vacant following death in 2010 of Congress MLA Lal Gopal Sharan Nath Shahdeo, the only son of the royal family of Ratu “maharaja”, Lal Chintamani Sharan Nath Shahdeo. After the death of the MLA, neither the widow of the deceased nor any of his four sisters showed any interest to follow the political legacy.

However, Ratu maharaja’s cousin, Ajay Nath Shahdeo, presently deputy mayorof Ranchi, has been fielded by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) led by former chief minister, Babulal Marandi.

Political observers feel there will be close fight for the assembly by-election of June 12 between BJP, Congress and JVM.

During campaigns, the candidates fighting in the by-election were being asked by the voters on their stand on local issues like, demolition of encroachments from government and PsUs land, water, electricity and roads.

There are as many as 29 candidates in the fray. The BJP candidate, Ramji Lal Sarada stood in the arena. Congress has fielded Sunil Sahay, the younger brother of Ranchi MP and Union tourism minister, Subodh Kant Sahay.

All Jharkhand Students’ Union (Ajsu), a partner inthe present coalition government led by Arjun Munda (BJP) also fielded Naveen Jaiswal.In 2009 state Assembly elections, late Gopal Sharan Nath Shahdeo (Congress) secured 39,921 votes, while his rival Ramji Lal Sarada (BJP) polled 39,896 votes.