My take on the Jharkhand Assembly Election 2024

 

The 2024 Jharkhand Assembly election result painted a picture of optimism that stands apart from the trends seen in many state elections following the General Elections. While several post-general Election outcomes echoed national mandates or reaffirmed dominant majoritarian narratives, Jharkhand offers a refreshing deviation—a story shaped by regional priorities, grassroots issues, and a conscious electorate. Above all, I would say this is the struggle of the Indigenous community to reject the politics of religious divisiveness over self-determination through the democratic method.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA bloc's resounding victory, which saw it win 56 of 81 seats in the State and achieve a two-third majority despite the BJP's deeply polarizing campaign, reflects the strength of a broad-based social coalition powered by a range of effective welfare initiatives. This stunning mandate has made history in Jharkhand's state elections, as it marks the first time in 24 years that an incumbent government has been re-elected to power.

The sweeping victory of INDIA block can be seen through many factors, which amplified the base of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in this assembly election, Where JMM increased their number 25 to 34 in 2024, Congress won 16 seats, the RJD won 4, and the CPI (M-L) has won 2 seats. On the other side, in the NDA, the BJP won 21 seats, and its allies AJSU, JD (U), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP (RV)] have only one seat each.

Hemant Soren's journey to the top has not been easy; he has made his mark in the state's politics. For the last five years, his government has successfully implemented various schemes and programs. A key agenda of Hemant's style of politics has been his consistent focus on the basic issues of the Adivasi community, such as Jal, Jangal, and Zamin (Water, Forest, and Land), which are deeply connected to the people of Jharkhand.

The very genesis of the state's formation was rooted in securing rights and representation for the Adivasi people and question of identity & dignity of Adivasi community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for their people specifically the migrants, who wanted to return to their homes, Hemant Soren, himself was closely working for the relief and assistance, for the migrants to get them back home. Activists working in the state have informed me that "under the leadership of Hemant Soren, the state government rolled out the 'Apke Adhikar, Apki Sarkar, Apke Dwar' program, making government services easily accessible by bringing them to people's doorsteps." The program has been quite successful on the ground, with a satisfaction rate of over seventy per cent even in the remotest areas of Jharkhand.

Other popular schemes, which helped Hemant Soren are- the expansion of the state's pension scheme, Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana, which provides Rs.1000 financial assistance to women in the age group of 18-51. Hemant Soren has been strongly advocating for the Sarna Code to provide a distinct religious identity for tribal communities, emphasizing its importance in preserving their cultural and religious heritage. He has urged the central government to recognize the Sarna Code in the national census to ensure the rights and representation of Adivasis.

On November 11, 2020, the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly passed a resolution advocating for the inclusion of a separate religious category for Adivasis in the 2021 Census, known as the Sarna Adivasi Dharma Code Bill, or simply the Sarna Code. The Sarna community represents an Adivasi religious tradition primarily followed by Santhal, Munda, Oraon, and occasionally Ho communities in Jharkhand and its neighboring states. In 2021, the Heamnt government rolled out the scholarship for the Adivasi youth to go for higher studies abroad, initially the total number of scholarships was ten, in October 2024, the state government increased the quota for higher studies, 20 ST, 10 SC, 14 OBC, 6 minority students to benefit.

Emergence of Kalpana Soren as mass leader, when Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case in January 2023, the party appointed Champai Soren as the Chief Minister. However, Kalpana Soren emerged as an alternative leader and a potential successor of the JMM. Kalpana, through her leadership and determination, fought this battle from the front and turned the crisis into an opportunity for both the party and herself. She effectively utilized an emotional appeal to highlight the importance of identity and its connection to development and dignity, which generated a sympathy waves among tribal voters in the state. Kalpana also became a core member of the party, actively participating in public meetings beyond Jharkhand. Notably, her presence at a major rally in Delhi, organized in solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal and attended by almost all opposition parties, showcased her growing prominence.

During the parliamentary elections, Kalpana emerged as one of the key campaigners for the JMM. When Hemant Soren was released from Jail and taken charge as CM of state again, Kalpana Soren continued fighting the political battle along with Hemant and became popular among the women of the Adivasi community. She was also able to convince the women from the other social groups.

The NDA camp relied heavily on a negative campaign, which ultimately did not yield favourable results for the BJP in Jharkhand. The entire rhetoric fell flat, as multiple BJP leaders in the state, such as Babulal Marandi and Raghubar Das, lacked coordination at the local level. The BJP also failed to build a strong opposition alliance against Hemant Soren's government. Even though they managed to attract some influential leaders from the JMM, like Champai Soren—who was once second-in-command in the JMM—it did not result in any significant change in the minds and hearts of Adivasi voters.

A new party, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), also played a key role by garnering some of the BJP's traditional votes. JLKM leader Jairam Mahato managed to win at least his own seat and secured around 5% of the vote share.

Another factor contributing to the BJP's defeat was the involvement of leaders from outside Jharkhand. While the BJP attempted to set an agenda around "outsider versus insider," their reliance on leaders from outside the state, who were most active during the elections, did not sit well with the people of Jharkhand.

What I am getting information from the ground through various sources, this time voting pattern in Jharkhand was unprecedented; the Adivasi community was more towards the JMM lead INDIA alliance. Minority communities – Muslims and Christens went into bulk for INDIA and more surprising, like traditional voters of BJP tilted towards the JMM alliance.

The Jharkhand Assembly election 2024 outcome reflects a growing maturity among voters, who are increasingly separating national politics from regional concerns. It signals a demand for accountability and a rejection of broad, generalized narratives. Jharkhand's verdict highlights the resilience of regional dynamics and the vitality of grassroots politics, proving that local aspirations and leadership remain pivotal in shaping India's democratic fabric.

After the historic and significant victory of the Hemant Soren led alliance, there are still challenges ahead in the multiple fronts, like governance, economy and political consolidation. There are high expectations among the people of the Jharkhand from this government. Hemant Soren must be planning to take the unemployment - overall inflation issues; better health infrastructures required in the state, education as the key issues in the state.  Hemant government had initiated many schemes and program in the past for the primary as well as for the higher education but the task are gigantic ahead. There are expectation from Hemant, for more solidarity for the tribal rights under The Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act (CNT Act) and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (SPT Act). These are the laws related to land in Jharkhand, at the same time government will have to be balancing act for industrial development in the state. Hemant government will have to revive the economy of the state, through diversification of the sources of revenues, and required to manage fiscal deficit. In the state, there are recurring issue of illegal mining, which need urgent attention. Law and order should be taken care with special attention by the Soren government, especially in the past there were several incidents of hate crime against Muslims.

The immediate task for Hemant Suren government, to effective implementation of all welfare schemes and to manage political dividend, which are visible in this election in the favor of INDIA alliance. The government and the alliance partners will have to work regularly at the ground with their cadres as well as mass, while maintaining coalition stability and internal party coordination/ harmony will be crucial. The main opposition BJP with strong support from central government, will certainly pose political hurdles, but Hemant Soren has learned in the past, how to navigate those turbulences by keeping the government agenda on the front like inclusive development, Adivasi dignity and social justice while ensuring stability and transparency to maintain trust of the people.