When Jharkhand was still struggling for statehood, the founding fathers of the state had inked a thoughtful slogan comprising three words—Jal, Jungle aur Zameen (water, forest and land). Barely 15 years of existence and these words seem to be slowly fading from the political consciousness as the state readies for Assembly polls—the first phase of polling will be held on Tuesday.
In the campaigns preceding polling, none of the political parties spoke about development-related issues like displacement, resettlement and rehabilitation policy, mining, forests and pollution. The issues were either feebly mentioned or written way down in election manifestos of the contesting parties.
While the grassroots activists are claiming that the three key issues are being slowly sidelined by political parties to favour corporate houses, political parties refute the allegations, saying issues affecting land, water and forests have become more crucial.
Activists commented that parties are this time more preoccupied with corruption, political instability and reforms. For instance, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which had nearly highjacked the slogan jal, jungle aur zameen, is contesting the Assembly polls on the major poll plank of administrative reforms.
Four prominent parties in the election fray have one issue in common—corruption.
Supriyo Bhattacharya, JMM general secretary, told Down To Earth that water, forest and land issues are still a prominent issues for his party but that the party has taken a step ahead to implement the three birth rights of tribal through administrative reforms.