Ranchi: As the Hemant Soren-led JMM-led alliance appeared set to claim victory in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, the chief minister shared a heartfelt moment with his supporters online. Posting a picture with his two sons on social media, Soren captioned it, “My strength.”
The ruling coalition, comprising the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), surged past the majority mark in the 81-seat Assembly, according to the latest data from the Election Commission. With leads in 56 constituencies, the alliance looked poised to outpace the BJP-led NDA, which was ahead in 29 seats.
JMM’s focus on tribal identity
The BJP’s campaign talked a lot on issues like “infiltration” in the Santhal Parganas region, but the JMM successfully countered this narrative by focusing on tribal identity and regional pride. Despite Chief Minister Soren grappling with legal challenges and corruption allegations, his party’s localised approach appeared to resonate with voters.
Current trends showed the JMM leading in 31 constituencies, the Congress in 14 and the RJD in four. Meanwhile, the BJP led in 26 seats, while smaller parties like the AJSU Party and LJP (Ram Vilas) held sway in a handful of constituencies.
Key candidates’ fate sealed
The key candidates in the fray included BJP state president Babulal Marandi, maintaining an edge in Dhanwar and Congress leader Rameshwar Oraon, leading in Lohardaga. Hemant Soren himself retained a strong lead in Barhait and his wife Kalpana Soren was trailing in Gandey.
The elections, held in two phases on November 13 and 20, saw a record voter turnout of 67.74%—the highest since the state’s creation in 2000. Exit polls had projected mixed outcomes, with some predicting a BJP win and others favoring the JMM-led coalition.
The alliance’s performance underscored a shift in Jharkhand’s political dynamics. The JMM’s grassroots outreach and focus on tribal welfare contrasted with the BJP’s focus on broader national issues, allowing the INDIA bloc to consolidate support.
If current trends continue, Hemant Soren is expected to secure another term as chief minister, attributing his success to both his family’s support and the faith of Jharkhand’s people. With the alliance crossing the 41-seat majority threshold, the state seems set to witness a renewed focus on tribal rights and local development under Soren’s leadership.
