Thriving legacy of Chambal bandits influences MP elections

Though bandits and dacoits have become just things of past, there still exists a species of crooks who make good fortunes during elections, by simply claiming to have bandit lineages or bandit relatives who kicked the bucket long ago. Such frauds are believed to have great influences in Morena, Bhind and Shivpuri districts of the State.

Morena (Madhya Pradesh): As election campaigning in Madhya Pradesh picks up momentum, the legacy of gun culture continues to thrive in the parts of the State where notorious bandits played the roles of kingmakers in the democratic process.

Since 2010 in Chambal no dacoit gangs have come under the radars of law enforcement agencies in the region.

Though bandits and dacoits have become just things of past, there still exists a species of crooks who make good fortunes during elections, by simply claiming to have bandit lineages or bandit relatives who kicked the bucket long ago. Such frauds are believed to have great influences in Morena, Bhind and Shivpuri districts of the State.

From the pre-independence era, the presence of dacoits was very much ravines and gorges of the Chambal forest. It is said that in the 80s the dacoits of the Chambal region started taking interest in politics, and the effect of this fascination impacted every small and big election.

It was said that that the person in whose favour the dacoits issue a decree, he wins the elections. Therefore, candidates of political parties did not hesitate in taking the support of the outlaws.

Even today they have an influence on elections

Senior journalist Rajesh Sharma, who knows Chambal's politics closely said: "According to police, there is no gang of dacoits left in Chambal. But even today, some miscreants who live in the Chambal region, have powers to influence the elections."

"It poses to be a big challenge for the police. However, the police do not agree with the fact that dacoits and reward carrying crooks influence the elections. But the manner in which weapons have been seized and enforcement is done for electoral preparation, show that there is a fear of these miscreants disguised as dacoits not among the locals. Tackling them is also a cumbersome task for the police and the administration," he said.

Political parties also take support of these dacoits

Attracted by the ideals of Jayaprakash Narayan and Gandhian thinker SN Subbarao, Bahadur Singh, a former dacoit, came to the mainstream many years ago. At present, he lives at a Gandhi Ashram in Morena.

"Although times have changed, earlier dacoits used to influence elections. When a gang of dacoits used to visit a village and diktat to vote in support of a certain candidate was given people cast their vote out of fear for them."

Dacoits surrendered during Arjun Singh's government

When the government of Arjun Singh was formed in 1981, many famous dacoits surrendered, including like Malkhan Singh, Phoolan Devi, Mohar Singh and Manohar Singh. Uday Singh Mastana was the first dacoit to surrender before the government.

Sharing his experience with ETV Bharat, Mastana said: "The election had a different effect those days. Political parties never used to contact dacoits. But the candidates who used to contact the dacoits won the elections."

Malkhan Singh campaigned for BJP

Malkhan Singh, a former bandit who gave up guns and joined the mainstream, is still active in the Chambal region, especially in the politics of Bhind district.

Singh, who chose the path of public service after the surrendered was always fondly addressed as Dadda. He also contested an election in BSP ticket. In the 2018 elections, Malkhan Singh also campaigned in support of BJP.

Rebels and dacoits have always been the part of politics from Chambal. However, no big movement of dacoits or miscreants has been witnessed in elections so far. Even today the police is busy conducting elections under strict surveillance here.