In a landmark electoral outcome, Jharkhand has broken a 24-year trend of not re-electing incumbent governments. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA coalition secured a decisive two-thirds majority, effectively countering the BJP’s aggressive and divisive campaign. This victory reflects a strong social coalition strengthened by effective welfare programmes.
Political analysts attribute this historic win to initiatives like the Maiya Samman Yojana, which played a pivotal role in building public trust and loyalty. These programmes allowed the JMM-led coalition to overcome the state’s long-standing history of rejecting incumbent governments. In contrast, the BJP’s polarising rhetoric, focused on expelling “infiltrators” from the Santhal Parganas region, failed to resonate with the electorate. Instead, JMM’s campaign, centred around tribal identity and welfare, struck a chord with voters.
The BJP’s attempt to paint tribals and non-tribals as part of a larger Hindu identity further alienated the tribal electorate. Statements by BJP leaders like Himanta Biswa Sarma, referring to issues such as “land jihad” and “ghuspaitiye” (infiltrators), backfired, as the tribal community rejected the communal undertones of the campaign.
The dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, supported by his wife Kalpana Soren, became a significant factor in the victory. Despite facing challenges, including Soren’s arrest by central agencies, the JMM managed to galvanise widespread sympathy and support. Addressing the media after the results, Soren thanked the people of Jharkhand and declared, “We will create history with ‘Abua Raj, Abua Sarkar’ (Our rule, our government) in Jharkhand.”
The alliance’s strategy successfully consolidated the tribal vote while also appealing to women voters through welfare schemes targeting their needs. Kalpana Soren’s active campaigning further strengthened JMM’s connection with women, enhancing its outreach across rural and tribal regions.
Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, in-charge of Jharkhand, praised the political maturity of voters. He noted that while the INDIA coalition focused on its achievements and future vision, the BJP failed to present a convincing agenda or connect with voters on substantive issues.
V.V.P. Sharma, Consulting Editor at New India Abroad (USA), highlighted the tribals’ rejection of BJP’s communal narrative: “The tribals’ vote for JMM is their answer to the BJP’s communal campaign and the central agencies’ actions against Hemant Soren. The Maiya Samman Yojana also drew significant support from tribal women.”
Afroz Alam HoD of Political Science at MANUU, Hyderabad, said INDIA alliance’s strategic unity, targeted welfare promises, and Soren’s leadership played a decisive role. He emphasised that the division of Mahto votes, due to the entry of Jayram Mahto’s party, further weakened the opposition’s base.
Mujeebur Rahman, author of Shikwa-e-Hind: The Political Future of Indian Muslims, commented, “The Jharkhand results are a lesson for both BJP and the INDIA alliance. Polarisation once again failed for the BJP. For Congress, timely coordination with coalition partners proved fruitful.”
