NDA’s focus on “infiltrators” failed, as I.N.D.I.A. bloc dominated tribal seats; JMM secured 10 of 14 Kolhan seats, BJP 3.
New Delhi: The BJP-led NDA suffered a significant defeat in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, losing to the JMM-led Mahagathbandhan alliance for the second consecutive term. The Mahagathbandhan delivered an impressive performance, with the JMM securing 34 seats, Congress 16, and RJD 4. In contrast, the BJP managed only 21 seats, while its allies—AJSU and JDU—secured one seat each, bringing the NDA total to 24. The LJP-RV also won one seat.
The NDA’s campaign heavily focused on issues like “infiltrators” altering state demographics and taking over land and jobs. Despite this, the Scheduled Tribe-reserved seats overwhelmingly favored the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. In the Kolhan region, traditionally a JMM stronghold led by senior tribal leader Champai Soren, the BJP managed to win only 3 of the 14 seats, while the JMM captured 10 and Congress 1.
The BJP had pinned its hopes on Champai Soren, a former JMM leader and six-time MLA, after inducting him into the party. Although Soren won the Saraikela seat for the BJP, his influence failed to alter the broader political dynamics in Kolhan. The NDA lost 11 out of 14 seats in the region, including key constituencies such as Ghatsila, Potka, and Jagannathpur.
BJP’s high-profile candidates fail to deliver
The BJP fielded a star-studded lineup of candidates, including relatives of former Chief Ministers and other prominent figures, but most failed to secure victories.
Potka: Meera Munda, wife of former Union Minister Arjun Munda, lost to JMM’s Sanjiv Sardar by 27,902 votes.
Jagannathpur: Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, was defeated by Congress’s Sona Ram Sinku by 7,383 votes.
Ghatsila: Babulal Soren, son of Champai Soren, lost to JMM’s Ram Das Soren by 21,974 votes.
Jamtara: Sita Soren, daughter-in-law of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren, lost to Congress’s Irfan Ansari by 43,676 votes.
The only BJP VIP candidate to secure a victory was Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das. She won the Jamshedpur East seat, defeating Congress candidate Ajoy Kumar by a margin of 42,871 votes.
JMM’s VIP candidates shine
In stark contrast, the JMM’s prominent candidates performed well:
Gandey: Kalpana Soren, wife of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, defeated BJP’s Muniya Devi by 16,960 votes.
Dumka: Basant Soren, brother of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, defeated BJP’s Sunil Soren by 14,588 votes.
These victories highlighted the Mahagathbandhan’s organizational strength and voter trust in JMM leadership.
A BJP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, attributed the party’s poor performance to campaign mismanagement and internal divisions. He criticized state BJP President Babulal Marandi for contesting from Dhanwar instead of a tribal-reserved seat, a decision that reportedly alienated tribal voters. “This move sent a negative message to tribal communities, raising doubts about Marandi’s confidence in contesting from tribal areas,” the leader said. He also highlighted weaknesses in the state BJP organization, which were not adequately addressed before the elections.
The Jharkhand Assembly election results underscored the Mahagathbandhan’s dominance and the BJP’s inability to regain ground in the state. Despite deploying prominent leaders and aggressively campaigning on sensitive issues, the NDA failed to resonate with voters, particularly in tribal-dominated areas. The Mahagathbandhan’s victory marks a significant challenge for the BJP as it seeks to rebuild its strategy in Jharkhand.