The Santhal Pargana has emerged as a focal point in the Jharkhand Assembly elections. Following losses in the Lok Sabha elections, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is accusing the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) of disrespecting leaders like Sita Soren and Champai Soren. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Home Minister Amit Shah and Nishikant Dubey, BJP's leaders have criticized the Hemant Soren government for failing to protect the promises of dignity and resources while holding the India Bloc responsible for demographic changes.
When it comes to demographic changes, Santhal Pargana is often discussed. Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey has raised this issue in Parliament. The BJP has promised in its manifesto to expel infiltrators from Jharkhand's borders, echoing PM Modi’s rally rhetoric, "Infiltrators are taking your daughters, grabbing your land, and snatching your bread. Efforts to change Jharkhand's demography are underway."
Why then has Santhal Pargana become the main arena while regions like Kolhan and Koyalanchal are also significant?
The Jharkhand Assembly comprises 81 seats, with 18 seated in Santhal Pargana. This area plays a crucial role in deciding the state's ruling dynamics. It is the constituency of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, making it a significant battlefield for any political party aiming at power.
For the ruling coalition, Santhal seats are a matter of prestige, primarily because it’s Shibu Soren’s home territory. The BJP strategizes to corner the opponent in its own stronghold. Santhal, housing the significant Santhal tribe population, impacts the political atmosphere in areas like Dhanbad and Giridih, where Santhal voters reside. Hemant Soren also belongs to the Santhal tribe.
The BJP's plan in Santhal is to counter JMM's tribal identity focus through Sita Soren and the descendants of Sidho-Kanhu, like Mandal Murmu. The removal of Champai from the Chief Minister's post is linked with tribal identity to win public favor. The BJP vocally addresses changing demographics and the infiltration of Bangladeshi citizens, prominently featuring in its manifesto. Anticipating vote impact from tribal communities over UCC opposition, the Home Minister earlier announced excluding tribals from it.
Santhal Pargana has been a fertile land for leadership. From united Bihar to now Jharkhand, it hasn’t lagged in leading state governance. Pandit Vinodanand Jha reached the Chief Minister's seat from united Bihar’s Deoghar, while Shibu Soren and Hemant Soren led the state post-separation from Bihar. Shibu Soren became CM representing Jamtara, and Hemant led while representing Barhet. Santhal Pargana, which produced three Chief Ministers, also boasts a long list of ministers.
Legislators like Krishnanand Jha from Madhupur, Furkan Ansari from Jamtara, and Avadh Bihari Singh from Mahagama served as ministers in the Bihar government. In summarization, Santhal Pargana's 20 legislators have been ministers in Bihar and Jharkhand governments. Since Jharkhand state formation, out of 18 seated legislators from this region, 17 have reached ministerial positions, with many holding cabinet berths across multiple governments.
Several notable names like Nalin Soren from Shikariipara, Haji Hussain Ansari from Madhupur, Alamgir Alam from Pakud, and Pradeep Yadav from Poraiyahat have held ministry roles. Other leaders like Stephan Marandi, Shashank Shekhar Bhokta, Ravindra Mahato, Louise Marandi, Raj Paliwar, Suresh Paswan, Badal Patralekh, and Randhir Kumar Singh also served as ministers.
Santhal Pargana comprises 18 seats, with seven reserved for Scheduled Tribes and one for Scheduled Castes. Ten seats are general. ST reserved seats include Barhet, Dumka, Shikariipara, Maheshpur, Littipara, Borio, and Jama assemblies. Deoghar is reserved for Scheduled Castes. The general seat list has Jamtara, Godda, Madhupur, Sarath, Jarmundi, Poraiyahat, Mahagama, Pakud, Rajmahal, and Nala.
