Tough Battle Ahead For NDA, INDIA Bloc In Jharkhand Assembly Elections

BJP is trying hard to win back its voters in the tribal belt as the party had lost all the seats in this region in the Lok Sabha polls. On the other hand, INDIA bloc faces challenges in many seats following difference over seat-sharing between Congress and JMM writes ETV Bharat's Nayyar Azad

Hyderabad: With Assembly elections a few months later in Jharkhand, both the BJP led NDA and the INDIA bloc led by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) are busy formulating strategies.

While the BJP is engaged in marathon meetings with key central leaders to strengthen its organizational structure and regain the trust of its tribal voter base, the JMM faces a dilemma as its allies are pressing for “respectable” seat sharing agreements.

BJP working to win over tribal voters

BJP insiders said that the party has planned to field veteran and seasoned leaders in the upcoming elections. It has set up committees to identify such leaders. Sources said some leaders that are under consideration includes former Union Minister Arjun Munda, BJP state president and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, Asha Lakda, former MP Sudarshan Bhagat, Samir Oraon, Neelkanth Singh Munda, Sita Soren, Geeta Koda, Barkuwar Gagrai, JB Tubid, Dr. Arun Oraon, Former MLA Shivshankar Oraon, Yadunath Pandey, Rabindra Nath Pandey and CP Singh.

Arjun Munda, considered to be popular tribal face for the BJP, was defeated in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections from Khunti. His defeat was a major setback for the saffron party in Jharkhand. With an aim to regain the party’s lost ground in the tribal belt the BJP is likely to field him in the assembly elections.

Next, Babulal Marandi, another tribal face, who has been trying to regain voters' confidence, may also be considered to be a candidate for the upcoming Assembly polls. He is currently the state president of the BJP in Jharkhand and was the first Chief Minister of the state.

He resigned from the BJP in 2006 and formed his own political party Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM). In 2020, he merged his party with the BJP and returned to the old party.

Notably, the BJP was defeated on all tribal seats in the Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand. Thus, through various programs, NDA is trying to win back its voters in this belt.

“The party is working out on strategies to win the elections. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma have been made the state in-charges for the Assembly polls. Our workers are excited about the party’s decision. The central leadership will take final decisions in all matters related to selection of candidates for the elections. We are confident that our party will win the elections with a huge margin”, BJP spokesperson Avinash Kumar Singh said.

Challenges for INDIA bloc

The INDIA bloc on the other hand is also busy formulating strategies to win over voters in the state. Amid reports of internal differences over seat sharing deal between JMM and the Congress, the ruling coalition is planning to challenge the BJP on its stance on Bangladeshi infiltration and demographic change in tribal region.

The INDIA bloc in Jharkhand comprises four parties namely JMM, Congress, RJD and CPI(ML).

Sources from Ranchi said that there is a strong possibility of tussle between both JMM and Congress on several seats. According to reports, the Congress has identified at least 33 seats where the party wants to field its candidates.

Sources aware of the development said the Congress is also focusing on a candidates' chance of victory before finalising their names.

In the 2019 assembly elections the JMM had contested 43 and won 30 seats while the Congress contested 31 and managed to win 16 and RJD won only one seat out of seven it contested.

However, when asked about the issue JMM insiders said that the party may consider swapping a few seats to diffuse the brewing tension in the ruling alliance.

There are reports of a possible tussle over Bhawnathpur assembly seat which has traditionally been with the Congress, but the JMM may stake claim this time. Similarly, there could be a conflict over Torpa assembly seat in Khunti district. In 2019, JMM contested but was defeated from the seat. This time former Congress state president Pradeep Balmuchu is interested in contesting from the seat.

Seat sharing agreement for Ranchi assembly seat may also get complicated between the INDIA bloc partners, JMM and Congress. In 2019, JMM narrowly lost the seat, this time the Congress is planning to field a strong candidate from the seat.

In Podiyahaat, the JMM and Congress are also likely to face difficulties in finalising seat sharing deals. Similarly, the Congress may also stake its claim for Mandu which has been JMM's traditional seat.

JMM, which is the senior partner in Jharkhand's INDIA bloc, has already hinted that the party may contest more seats in the upcoming assembly elections. In such a scenario it is likely that the seat sharing deal in the INDIA bloc could be slightly difficult this time.