Lohardaga gears up for big fight between Cong & Ajsu-P

Gumla: Lohardaga (ST) assembly constituency is set to witness a fierce electoral battle between Congress and Ajsu-P candidates in the upcoming election. NDA ally Ajsu-P has fielded Niru Shanti Bhagat, the wife of late ex-MLA Kamal Kishore Bhagat, while Congress has nominated veteran leader Rameshwar Oraon. This is the second time both candidates are contesting from this seat. In 2015, Niru Shanti lost to Sukhdeo Bhagat of Congress when the seat fell vacant after her husband's disqualification. Kamal Kishore had previously won the seat in 2009 and 2014, defeating Sukhdeo Bhagat. Oraon, the outgoing planning and development and finance minister, first contested from this constituency in 2019 against Sukhdeo, who had temporarily joined BJP.Lohardaga: The Bauxite City and its economic significance

Lohardaga district, which has only one assembly seat, is known as the Bauxite City due to its Bagru and Pakhar bauxite mines. The mining operation is primarily carried out by Hindalco, a major aluminium company with a significant presence in Lohardaga. "Approximately one lakh Lohardaga residents are benefited directly or indirectly from mining and transportation activities. About 2000 trucks ply daily carrying bauxite from Gumla and Lohardaga mines. Bauxite industry is considered as the lifeline of Lohardaga," said president of Gumla Lohardaga Truck Owners Association.Key issues:Despite the economic importance of the bauxite industry, rural Lohardaga primarily relies on agriculture, and many labourers migrate to other places in search of livelihood. Om Singh, an executive member of the state BJP from the district, highlighted the main issues facing the region, including migration of villagers, pollution near bauxite dumping site, bauxite ropeway trolleys passing through residential areas, inadequate facilities at Sadar Hospital and an incomplete bypass road.The Sahu family and its Congress connection: No story of Lohardaga is complete without mentioning the Sahu family, which has close ties to Congress. Late Shiv Prasad Sahu, a former Ranchi MP, had a close relationship with Indira Gandhi, while his younger brother Dhiraj Sahu is a former Rajya Sabha MP. Sukhdeo Bhagat, the current Lok Sabha MP from Lohardaga, said, "Every one has the right to apply for a party ticket. But once the party high command takes a decision, I'm with it. I will accompany party candidate Rameshwar Oraon Ji's during filing of nomination papers and wish he must win the poll."Niru Shanti told TOI,"If I'm elected I will get the dream of my husband realised. I'm going to the people in order to fulfill their demands for a speciality hospital, one more degree college, completion of the by-pass ( road) and new job opportunities for the locals."
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