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Jharkhand elections: Coal mafia controls the politics of Dhanbad, family fights for power

The politics of Dhanbad like everything else is seeped in coal. In the 1970s, coal was nationalised but before that private mine owners owned these mines. One BP Sinha was the leader of all the coal workers.

Subsequently, Suraj Deo Singh took over and started an organisation called the Janta Mazdoor Union. Today, Singh's son and his nephew are locked in a bitter political battle amidst allegations of murder, extortion and many other heinous crimes.

The palatial mansions and its one time owner SD Singh started dominated the local politics too. Over the years, his family and colleagues have fought over his fiefdom.

Ranvijay Singh, son of Sakal Deo Singh, said, "They hired shooters and killed my father in a shootout when he was travelling for a function."

Estranged nephew of SD Singh, Neeraj will be contesting polls from Jharia constituency on a Congress ticket.

Neeraj Singh said, "Surely my family's image has taken a hit because of constant allegations, but none of these allegations were ever proved."

After the death of SD Singh, his wife Kunti represented Jharia constituency. But this time, her son Sanjeev will fight on a BJP ticket.

Sanjeev Singh said, "The Congress always troubled Suraj Deo Singh, but he never gave in to their pressure tactics. He fought for the workers."

But many voters in Dhanbad and Jharia now believe that the domination of local politics by SD Singh's family stands for all that is wrong with Jharkhand politics.

Source: IBN Live