NABARANGPUR: A prestige battle is being fought out far away from the corridors of power __ in the tribal heartland.The high-voltage campaign and the unprecedented blitzkrieg being demonstrated by the three mainstream parties only shows it is much more than mere defeat or victory.Post-Umerkote every party has its agenda cut out.But at ground zero, local issues would impact the swing.Bengali Settlers Hold the KeyWith Umerkote constituency home to a sizeable number of Bengali voters who settled here during the Bangladesh war, political parties are going out of their way to woo this major voter bank.Besides Umerkote, they are concentrated in Raighar block that also holds the largest share of polling booths at 110.Bangladeshi refugees started settling in Raighar and Umerkote blocks in the beginning of the 60s and their socioeconomic condition gradually improved under Dandakaranya Development Project which was implemented by the Centre for their rehabilitation.Over the years, the economic disparity between the local tribals and the Bengalis widened.BJD MLA of Umerkote Jagabandhu Majhi, who was murdered by suspected Maoists at Gona village on September 24 was well known for his anti-Bengali-settler stance.He had floated an organisation Dalit Samaj through which he led tribal uprising against Bengalis in the past.The Dalit Samaj victimised many Bengalis a result of which was the 2010 ethnic clash between tribals and the Bengalis that claimed lives of 10 persons and left many injured.The clash created a sharp divide among the tribals and the Bengali settlers in Raighar.While the Bengali community had always been supportive of Congress, but after the clash the party distanced itself from them.Under these circumstances, the BJP stood behind the settlers and the latter voted them to power in two Assembly elections.When in the last election, late Jagabandhu Majhi as BJD candidate won, the Bengali community again felt insecure.This time, the Congress has succeeded in establishing rapport with the Bengalis reminding the latter that it was the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre which had come to their rescue and resettled them.Aware of the fact that the Bengalis - with a vote strength of 24,000 - will play a deciding role, all the three parties are trying to woo them.Inter-tribal Issue May CountAround 90 per cent of the electorate of the Umerkote Assembly constituency is tribals and tribals of the Gond community are a majority among them.This is why all the three major political parties have chosen their candidate from the community.After the Bangladeshi refugees were resettled in Raighar, the socio-economic condition of the Gonds deteriorated.Even after six decades of Independence, the fruits of development are yet to reach them.Years of negligence and indifference to their plight by subsequent governments only worsened their situation.Some literate persons of the community formed ‘Gond Samaj’ a few years back through which they have been trying to raise issues relating to the community.In the last few years, cases of atrocities and exploitation of Gonds have made headlines in Raighar block.Last year, the murder of Ghanshyam Gond, a headmaster, created strong resentment among the tribesmen.Family of Ghanshyam had then a l l e g e d that members of the ruling party were involved in the murder.Though the Gond Samaj had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the Governor over the issue, the government has remained silent over it.Highlighting these issues has been the poll agenda of both Congress and BJP.In the wake of the triangular contest among the Gonds, the Bhotra community that dominates the Umerkote block too may sway the bypoll results, political observers feel.This time, the Bhotras who have seen MLA from their community being elected five times in the past, are feeling ignored by all the three parties
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