Politics are heating up in Jharkhand with the state assembly elections on the horizon. On the last day of campaigning for the first voting phase, the BJP is pulling out all the stops with a high-voltage campaign. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to address three rallies alongside Champai Soren, former chief minister of the state, and JD(U)'s Raja Peter. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will hold four rallies today in Jharkhand.
For election support, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi are also heading to Jharkhand. Both leaders are scheduled for three public meetings each. Additionally, BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty will host three rallies today.
683 Candidates in the Fray
The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its manifesto. With the first-phase elections set for November 13, 683 candidates are competing, meaning each constituency sees about 16 contenders. The second phase occurs November 20, and the results are expected on November 23. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) coalition is banking on welfare schemes and Chief Minister Hemant Soren's popularity to stay in power, especially relying on the support of Scheduled Tribes and minorities.
The BJP coalition is striving to make a comeback by highlighting the shortcomings of the Soren government and expanding the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to include the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM), and the Janata Dal (United).
What Are the Regional Dynamics?
Jharkhand can be divided into five regions for electoral analysis: Palamu, Santhal Pargana, North Chotanagpur, South Chotanagpur, and Kolhan. Palamu has 9 seats, Chotanagpur has 40 seats (combined North and South), Santhal Pargana holds 18 seats, and Kolhan accounts for 14. The state reserves 9 seats for Scheduled Castes and 28 for Scheduled Tribes.
The BJP has strengthened its hold on Scheduled Caste seats, whereas JMM's influence has grown over Scheduled Tribe seats. South Chotanagpur has 11 Scheduled Tribe seats, Kolhan has 9, Santhal Pargana has 7, while Palamu only has 1. There are no Scheduled Tribe seats in North Chotanagpur. Scheduled Caste holds four seats in North Chotanagpur, two in Palamu, and one each in South Chotanagpur, Kolhan, and Santhal Pargana. Scheduled Castes make up about 12% while Scheduled Tribes constitute 26% of the state's total population.
