Madhu Koda, Bagun Sumbrui still call the shots in Singhbhum

JAMSHEDPUR: Former chief minister of Jharkhand, Madhu Koda and five times former Member of Parliament Bagun Sumbrui are the actual faces for the JBSP candidate Geeta Koda and Congress’ Chitrasen Singh Sinku respectively for the Singhbhum parliamentary constituency.

Such is the sway of Koda and Sumbrui over the tribal residents of remote villages that their word itself is enough to convince the people to cast their votes in favour of the candidates of their leaders’ choice.

Sumbrui was Singhbhum MP five times from three different political parties while Ko d a wo n Jagannathpur assembly constituency twice and Singhbhum seat once.

Voters ask the candidates about Koda and Sumbrui whenever they come to them to seek their votes.

Both the leaders, who belong to Ho tribe, command tremendous respect in remote villages. Geeta is known because of her husband Madhu Koda while Sinku, wh o joined Congress last year, seeks support in the name of Sumbrui, who ensured him the party ticket.

The 90-year-old, Bagun campaigns for around 12 hours and holds five meetings daily.

He tells voters that Sinku has a clean image and deserves to be their candidate.

Bagun addressed a meeting at Manjhgaon and other places on Friday and told the voters that except for Congress, other candidates did not have clean record.

Similarly, Madhu Koda travels 200 kms daily and holds 15 t o20 public meetings to convince voters. He addressed public meetings at Chakradharpur, Chaibasa, Gamharia and Adityapur on Friday.

“I sleep just for four hours in a day during campaigning. My wife is contesting the election on the issue of development work done by me and her as a member of Legislative Assembly from Jagannathpur,” Koda said.

Both the leaders expressed confidence about their candidates winning the elections.