From ‘Nun roti khayenge, Modi ko jeetwayenge thik hai’ — an improvisation of popular Bhojpuri singer Khesari Yadav’s Thik Hai song — to Santhali songs praising Disom Guru Shibu Soren, candidates of political parties in fray for the Assembly polls are tuning in to voter’s hearts through jingles of popular songs. JMM is also using title track of Mangal Pandey movie for campaigning for its Jugsalai candidate Mangal Kalindi.
Parties have swung back to the old practice of campaigning on wheels in both urban and rural areas of different constituencies.
"We had to resort to campaigning by vehicles and public announcement system as there was no other effective way for the campaigning left. Wall-writings used to be an effective media for the campaigning, but the district administration is keeping a close vigilance against any such act," said a functionary of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
Campaign vehicles with posters of the party leaders and candidates can be seen playing jingles of popular Santhali, Hindi, Bhojpuri and Nagpuria songs on the streets of Jamshedpur.
“I think this is a better medium to attract voters. The songs have been prepared by our party state office in Ranchi and sung by local singers. They have portrayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s achievements. We have dedicated at least two vehicles in each of the assembly constituencies falling under Jamshedpur seats,” said a BJP worker.
“Our youth leader Ramesh Hansdah has lined up a few jingles on popular Santhali film songs which would be used in our campaigning, especially in tribal dominated areas,” said the worker.
Jamshedpur parliamentary constituency has six assembly constituencies — Jamshedpur East and Jamshedpur West, Ghatshila, Baharagora, Potka and Jugsalai — out of which barring Jamshedpur East and West, almost all other constituencies have sizeable number of tribal voters.
JMM candidates are playing to their strength and have lined up Bangla and Santhali songs. "We have introduced campaigning on wheels at the urban areas of the constituency. Loud-speakers are fitted in every vehicle from which we appeal to the voters to cast their votes in favour of our candidates and also play jingles for attracting the voters," said a JMM leader.
JMM has launched over a dozen vehicles for campaigning in both the rural as well as urban areas. "We have put about a dozen vehicles for the campaigning to woo voters, and would increase the number of such vehicles shortly," said a functionary who is looking after the publicity aspect of the JMM's candidate.