By IANS,
Ranchi : The festivals of Eid and Dussehra have provided politicians in Jharkhand handy platforms to promote themselves at a time when elections to the state assembly are expected soon.
Hundreds of banners and cutouts of politicians wishing people on the two festivals that followed each other this year were seen all across state capital Ranchi and other places, while politicians cutting across party lines reached out to people at Durga Puja pandals (Marquees) and Iftar parties.
“During festivals, we get a chance to meet thousands of people and interact with them. The interaction between leaders and people clears confusion and helps us understand many issues,” state Congress spokesperson Rabindra Singh told IANS.
“Elected legislators and MPs should interact with people,” he added.
In Ranchi, hundreds of cutouts and banners of local MP and union Food Processing Minister Subodh Kant Sahay wished people on Eid and Dussehra. Leaders of other parties did the same.
Politicians here also made use of the SMS and internet to send their message to the people.
“During festivals, we meet and give our best wishes to them. It is also a good medium to interact with people and know their feelings,” said C.P. Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader who quit the state assembly along with 21 party legislators on Sep 9 demanding polls in the state.
This year, the number of Iftar parties by politicians clearly swelled manifold. Virtually, all prominent leaders invited people to Iftar dinners.
But voters saw through the promotional efforts. “Are we fools? We know politicians try to fool us by adopting such measures. We need electricity, road and good environment to work. Politicians try to divert attention from these core issues,” said Mahadeo Sen, a resident of Ranchi. Many echoed this sentiment.
Elections in the state that is under president’s rule since January — with the assembly in suspended animation — are expected by the end of the year. Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram during a visit here last week said the Election Commission had been asked to fix poll dates.