Jharkhand: Did Jail Stint Work In Favour Of Hemant Soren? JMM Creates History As BJP Faces Major Setback

Jharkhand Results 2024: JMM has created history by retaining power in the state. BJP's efforts to capitalise on corruption charges against CM Hemant Soren backfired, leading to sympathy wave for JMM.

Jharkhand Results 2024: The Jharkhand Assembly elections of 2024 have delivered a historic verdict, with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) breaking a long-standing political record by retaining power in the state. For the first time since its formation in 2000, the politically volatile state has re-elected an incumbent government, marking a monumental shift in its electoral dynamics. Meanwhile, the BJP, which had poured significant resources and energy into the campaign, faced a crushing defeat, though the party recorded a thumping victory in Maharashtra, the other state that went to polls with Jharkhand.

Political Instability: A Defining Feature Of Jharkhand

Jharkhand has long been synonymous with political instability. Over the years, the state has seen a rapid turnover of governments, with coalitions, independents, and regional parties playing pivotal roles in shaping its governance. Notably, the state's political landscape is marked by episodes such as the rise of Madhu Koda, an independent MLA who managed to become chief minister. 

Since its creation, BJP’s Raghubar Das remains the only CM to have completed a full five-year term. However, even he could not lead the party to victory in the subsequent election. The narrative had always been one of fragmented mandates and short-lived regimes — until now.

Sympathy And Strategy: Hemant Soren's Triumph

One of the defining factors behind JMM's historic win, it appears, has been the public response to the Enforcement Directorate's actions against Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The BJP’s decision to pursue corruption charges against Soren and send him to jail during the campaign has evidently backfired, fuelling a wave of sympathy for the leader, particularly in tribal regions.

Senior political analyst Abhay Dubey opines that this sympathy wave turned the tide in JMM's favour. "An emotional undercurrent swept across tribal areas, framing Soren not just as a political leader but as a victim of central overreach," he remarked. 

This sentiment was particularly pronounced in the first phase of voting in tribal-dominated constituencies, where the JMM outperformed expectations, securing a decisive lead. The BJP's failure to recognise and counteract this emotional dynamic proved costly, especially in a state where tribal identity and cultural solidarity play a critical role in elections.

Beyond the sympathy wave, the JMM’s continued focus on welfare policies contributed to its success. Over the past term, Soren's government rolled out several initiatives tailored to the needs of the state's tribal and rural populations. These included programmes for job creation, health benefits, and education, which resonated strongly with voters.

By contrast, the BJP, while making significant campaign promises, struggled to connect with voters on the ground. Its narrative of corruption and governance challenges under the Soren government failed to gain traction, especially when juxtaposed with the JMM's tangible policy benefits.

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BJP’s Strategic Missteps

The BJP’s reliance on ED actions against Hemant Soren as a key campaign tactic proved to be a strategic miscalculation. Instead of undermining the JMM’s position, the move galvanised tribal voters in Soren’s favour. Furthermore, the BJP’s inability to counter the JMM’s grassroots mobilisation in tribal areas exposed gaps in its organisational strength.

Abhay Dubey pointed out: "The BJP underestimated the emotional and cultural dimensions of Jharkhand’s electoral landscape. While their campaign promises were robust, they lacked resonance with voters who felt connected to Soren’s leadership, particularly in the face of perceived external threats."

In the run-up to the Jharkhand elections, the BJP sought to polarise the electorate by branding the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance as a "ghuspethiya gathbandhan" (infiltrators’ coalition). Addressing a rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself accused the ruling coalition of settling Bangladeshi immigrants in the state for electoral gains, aiming to stoke fears among local communities. He also criticised the alliance for what he termed as "appeasement politics", alleging that cultural traditions like Saraswati Vandana, Durga worship, and Hindu festivals were being disrupted under their governance. 

Such statements, made during rallies in Garhwa and Chaibasa, were designed to consolidate votes by appealing to communal sentiments. However, this strategy appears to have backfired, as it failed to resonate with the electorate. Instead, it may have strengthened public sympathy for the JMM, particularly in tribal regions, where cultural and social cohesion superseded polarising rhetoric, ultimately contributing to the BJP’s electoral setback.