The MLA Local Area Development Fund has been renamed as Chief Minister Local Area Development Scheme. Eighty percent money of this fund are supposed to be spent in the rural development.
This great control over finance is bound to make the post of mukhiya, pramukh and Chairperson of the Zilla Parishad much more lucrative. So unlike the last two elections held in 2001 and 2006––after the 72nd and 73rd Constitutional Amendments––much is at stake in the latest election to be held in 10 phases between April 20 and May 28. Till 2006 these rural bodies’ representatives were new to the business. Now they have tasted money-power and are prepared to do and die for the post.
True, the rural bodies’ election held in 2006 were not so bloody, but this time the state government is making full preparation to see to it that everything goes on peacefully as much is at stake at the grassroots level of democracy. After all the hike in quota for women by 33 per cent to 50 per cent and additional reservation of 20 per cent for the Extremely Backward Castes have gone a long way to consolidate the position of the present regime in Bihar.
Keeping the sensitivity of the situation all the DMs are instructed to camp at their respective block offices at least a day ahead of the election. The SPs have been asked by the DGP to maintain round the clock vigil of the situation. Several illegal mini-gun factories have been unearthed as there is fear that liquor and guns would play their role in the election.
Altogether there are 26,000 local bodies posts in the state––about 8,500 mukhiyas––for which 5,57,663 candidates are in the fray. More than half of them are women.
Though there were few casualties at the time of election in 2006 many mukhiyas reportedly lost their lives in the last few years. Be it NREGA or appointment of teachers they are accused of demanding huge amount of money. According to a rough estimate each mukhiya has earned something between Rs 30 and 50 lakh in the last five years. Swanky cars, no less than Scorpio M-Hawk, Sumo Victa, Sumo Grande Dicor, Xylo, Safari Dicor etc are their favourite vehicles.
The lucre of money is dividing families and creating huge walls between bosom friends, who are pitted against each other. Bother is fighing brother, sisters-in-law are pitted against each other and in several cases even the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are in the fray for the same post.
With no control of political party even the Election Commission has limited role to play in this brazen exercise of money power. When Election Commission is quick to take notice of the misuse of vehicle and parliamentary and Assembly election candidates for panchayat election are leaving no stone unturned to lure voters.
The campaign is at its peak with swanky cars in dozens entering deep interior of Bihar. Candidates are spending money like water on campaign, which has gone musical too. They are getting albums made on their election promises and those engaged in the sound recording business are earning big. Reports also say that many showrooms are running short of cars, which have a brisk sale in the last few weeks.

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