NEW DELHI: BJP leaders are intensifying their rhetoric on ‘Bangladeshi infiltrators’ and demographic changes in Santhal Pargana, accusing the current government of marginalising tribals.
The Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing for the upcoming Assembly elections by mobilising their base, strategising for their campaign, and addressing local issues to garner voters’ support. The party is focusing on tribal communities in Jharkhand, aiming to win their support by addressing their issues, promoting tribal leaders, and implementing policies beneficial to these communities. BJP seeks to connect with tribal voters by highlighting their past work and future plans tailored to improve the lives of the tribal population in the state. Additionally, the party is enhancing its activities through candidate selection, grassroots outreach, and emphasising their achievements and future plans for the state.
Out of Jharkhand’s total of 81 Assembly seats, 27 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes. The state’s tribal population, including communities such as Ho, Munda, Santhal, and Oraon, constitutes 26.21% of its 3.2 crore population, according to the 2011 census.
Ahead of the Jharkhand elections, BJP leaders are intensifying their rhetoric on ‘Bangladeshi infiltrators’ and demographic changes in Santhal Pargana, accusing the current government of marginalising tribals in the region. Alongside these issues, it is working to regain the trust of tribal voters in Jharkhand, which they may have lost in the previous election, under former BJP Chief Minister Raghubar Das, who was perceived as anti-tribal. This effort includes addressing grievances, promoting tribal leaders, implementing beneficial policies, engaging with communities, and demonstrating cultural sensitivity. By concentrating on these areas, BJP aims to persuade tribal voters to support them in the forthcoming Assembly elections. Despite their efforts, such as nominating a tribal candidate for the presidential elections, appointing Babulal Marandi as state president, celebrating Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, and announcing a Rs 24,000 crore package for vulnerable tribal groups, the party has so far seen limited success in winning over tribal communities.
Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Binay Singh said that the party had a lead in 52 of the 81 Assembly seats during the parliamentary polls. In the upcoming Assembly election, BJP will campaign based on the achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for the tribal community. He highlighted that BJP has launched various initiatives to support tribal communities across India, focusing on education, health, economic development, and cultural preservation. Singh noted that opposition propaganda had hindered the party from gaining voters’ trust in previous elections. However, this time, the party plans to reach out to voters to inform them about its contributions and the anti-tribal actions of the JMM-led opposition. He emphasised the significance of the Chota Nagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act in Jharkhand’s political dynamics, which has impacted the party’s standing. Additionally, he accused the current Chief Minister, Hemant Soren of violating the law by acquiring land across the state.
A professor from the state university, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the BJP is expected to perform well in the upcoming Assembly elections. This prediction is based on observations at the grassroots level, where there is noticeable anti-incumbency against the JMM-led Congress alliance. Despite completing a full term for the first time, JMM has failed to deliver significant development projects or fulfil its manifesto promises.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP incharge for Jharkhand, has emphasised on the need to restore the party’s effective leadership to ensure development in the state. He highlighted widespread corruption involving resources like sand, coal, mines, and minerals. Chouhan also accused numerous leaders from the ruling party of facing corruption charges, labelling the current JMM-led administration in the state as the most corrupt in India. A political analyst said that the BJP faces a significant challenge in attracting ST voters. Without a strategy to secure a majority in these constituencies, winning state elections will prove difficult. Despite the I.N.D.I.A. alliance gaining momentum with Soren’s release, BJP must reconsider its approach to regain control of Jharkhand from the JMM-led coalition.
The analyst stated that the BJP will have a serious approach to the Jharkhand elections, recognising the state’s critical importance for their electoral prospects.