While the perceptions of Maoist threat during the panchayat elections in Bihar in April and May were real, actual impact of the rebels’ threats on the entire election process seems to have been far overblown, especially in the event of claims about candidates withdrawing their nominations under threats from the Maoists.
Contrary to reports before the panchayat elections began, saying that about 1,000 candidates in three Maoist-hit districts in southern Bihar were forced to withdraw their nominations under Maoist threat, the number of candidates who actually did withdraw has been found, after verifications, to be only 187, said sources in the state administration.
In the Maoist-affected districts of Gaya, Aurangabad and Muzaffarpur, the blanket threat issued by the rebels asking people not to contest in the panchayat polls or else face dire consequences had shown some early, visible effects.
Despite the district police chiefs and the state DGP having assured the people of total security in view of the threats, a large number of candidates had withdrawn their candidatures citing threat from the Maoists.
However, the number of such withdrawals was 187, said the sources.