NEW DELHI: The Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to contest the upcoming Assembly elections without a designated chief ministerial candidate. A party insider revealed that the BJP plans to rely on the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the election campaign, as the party lacks a prominent leader to be projected as the chief ministerial face.
Initially, when BJP’s central leadership appointed Babu Lal Marandi as the state president of Jharkhand, it was widely believed that he would be the party’s chief ministerial candidate in the Assembly elections. His appointment was seen as a strategic move, given his experience and prominence in Jharkhand’s political landscape. However, as time passed, Marandi’s influence and stature within the state’s political scene began to wane. This decline not only weakened his position, but also had a broader impact on BJP’s performance in the state, particularly in the Lok Sabha elections. The party’s diminishing presence under his leadership made it evident that BJP would have to rely on the popularity and influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to win the Assembly elections in Jharkhand.
The shift in strategy suggests that BJP recognises Modi’s strong appeal as the key to securing electoral success in the state, rather than banking on regional leaders.
A senior BJP leader from Jharkhand, speaking on the condition of anonymity, mentioned that Marandi’s popularity has significantly declined, casting uncertainty over his political future. The leader noted that Marandi’s influence among the tribal communities has also waned, and his diminishing presence on the ground prompted the party to decide to contest the election primarily on Modi’s appeal.
The senior leader further pointed out the rise of several young leaders in the state, such as Sameer Arya and Asha Lakra, who have provided the party’s high command with various options for the future. These emerging leaders are not only well-connected with the party organisation but also have strong grassroots support. He added that the party’s leadership is now backing these young leaders as the future of BJP in Jharkhand.
He emphasised that the party’s high command was adamant about having all the tribal leaders contest from tribally reserved constituencies in the election. However, this directive was met with reluctance from the state’s tribal leaders, who were hesitant to follow through with the plan. Their hesitation stemmed from the party’s recent poor performance in the tribal-dominated areas during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
Despite BJP’s efforts, the party failed to secure any victories in these key tribal constituencies. The loss was particularly significant because even their prominent leader, Arjun Munda, a senior tribal figure and heavyweight in Jharkhand politics, did not manage to win his seat. This defeat underscored the growing disconnect between the party and the tribal electorate, causing concern among the state’s tribal leaders about their prospects in the upcoming elections.