Village with one TV sends out mixed signals

Barchalla (Sonitpur): Whenever the sky over Dhirai Line is grey and cloudy, the residents of this hamlet become gloomy. The reason is simple. An overcast sky deprives them of their favourite programmes on the lone television set in this village.

Manoj Kumar Das, 60, is the proud owner of the television set which operates on solar power because Dhirai Line is still to get an electricity connection. The village is part of the Nepali-dominated Barchalla constituency, comprising 1,42,307 voters, which has been represented by former speaker Tanka Bahadur Rai (65) of Congress for three terms since 2001.

"Last Monday, we did not watch a single programme on the TV because the sky was overcast all day. On a sunny day, our house is filled with children and their parents, all glued to the television," Manoj's wife Nila Maya said. Bishnu Nag, a worker in a local tea garden here, said Manoj's house is the only place where residents of Dhirai Line can gather every day to relax, watch TV and keep abreast of the latest election news. "That Dhirai Line has only one TV set is an example of how it has been neglected," Nag said. With polling day drawing close, people in villages deprived of the fruits of development are becoming increasingly vocal about their frustration. In the three terms of Rai's tenure, Barchalla has seen some development, like bitumen roads which connected every nook and cranny of the constituency, basic health and education centres and community halls. But many places like Dhirai Line have been left to fend for themselves.

This election, the electorate of Barchalla is sharply divided over whether Rai should be voted in for a fourth term or an alternative found. BJP's Ganesh Kumar Limbu, 44, has emerged a strong contender against Rai. Almost half a kilometer from Dhirai Line is a market place called Dhirai Majuli. Heated debates between Congress and BJP supporters are a common sight here.

Nirmala Sadei, a health worker, would not accept BJP supporters' accusation of underdevelopment. "BJP has the habit of exaggerating facts. That is why they don't see the significant turnaround in our constituency under TBR Sir (as Rai is popularly called by his supporters)," Nirmala argued. Bal Krishna Phayel, a BJP supporter, abruptly interrupted Nirmala to say only Congress supporters had enjoyed development in Barchalla. "Those who are not with Congress don't get benefits. There are many pockets in Barchalla where the situation is deplorable despite three terms of TBR," Phayel retorted.