INDIA bloc’s Challenger: Vinod Singh’s Bid to Upend BJP Dominance in Koderma

Ranchi: The Koderma Lok Sabha seat will be one of the most high-profile contests in Jharkhand as it is going to be between the INDIA bloc candidate, a legislator who has been honored with the outstanding MLA award, and a state minister in the NDA government.

After much anticipation, CPIML has announced the nomination of Vinod Singh from Koderma on behalf of the INDIA bloc. The three-time MLA from Bagodar will face Annapurna Devi of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Annapurna Devi is a Minister of State in the Modi cabinet.

There are five assembly constituencies in the Koderma parliamentary constituency – Bagodar, Gandey, Jamua, Dhanwar, and Koderma. Except for Koderma, all four assembly constituencies fall under Giridih district.

Since the Koderma Lok Sabha elections started in 1977, elections have been held 13 times, and the BJP has won this seat a maximum of six times. If we include the victory of Ritlal Prasad Verma as a Janata Party candidate and Babulal Marandi (who has returned to BJP) once as an independent and once from JVM, then in Koderma, BJP or its associated people have won nine times or represented the area in the parliament.

Mahendra Singh, before getting assassinated, was a legislator from Bagodar three times, and now the same is with Vinod Singh. With this candidature, the work done so far in Bagodar will also be discussed, and the development done by the BJP in the Koderma Lok Sabha constituency will be an issue.

There will also be talk about the work of Annapurna Devi, who got the post of minister, and also about the work done by Vinod Singh. Annapurna Devi was earlier in the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and became an MLA from Lalu Prasad Yadav’s party, but just ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, she left RJD and joined BJP.

Vinod Singh, 48, studied post-graduation at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and came into politics after the murder of Mahendra Singh. In 2022, he was honored with the Outstanding MLA of Jharkhand award. This year, when Hemant Soren had to resign due to the ED arrest, thereafter, CPIML legislator played an important role in the formation of Champai Soren’s government and had met the Governor several times along with the alliance leaders.

“First of all, I want to thank all the parties of the INDIA Alliance. And I want to tell the people of Koderma, along with the important works of development, whether it’s representing any section of society, migrant labourers, or raising the issues of Dalits, tribals, minorities, and women, CPIML has raised their voice from the streets to inside the assembly. Victory in Koderma will further strengthen this voice inside Parliament,” Vinod Singh told eNewsroom.

“The second most important thing: this time the fight in Koderma is not with any BJP candidate or India Bloc; this time it is BJP versus Koderma’s people. The BJP will have to give answer of its 30 years of work to the public. Why is Koderma still among the most backward areas of the country? Neither the health sector nor the education sector has improved,” Vinod Singh questioned.

He added, “Many big names have become MPs from Koderma; among them, I am the least important person, but I can say that I will never compromise on public issues and will work for the people of Koderma. I will strive to become a strong voice for the people of Koderma in Parliament.”