Former JMM leader Lobin Hembrom joined the BJP on Saturday, stating that the JMM is no longer what it used to be, with widespread discontent among its members due to certain individuals. Notably, Lobin had defeated the BJP candidate in the 2019 assembly elections. He was expelled from JMM for six years.
Lobin, a prominent tribal leader in Jharkhand, is expected to strengthen the BJP's position. After joining the party, he spoke to ANI about his plans, emphasising his focus on protecting tribal rights, ensuring access to water, forest, and land, and defending against intruders.
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"Do you not know that everyone is upset in Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) due to a few people? JMM is not JMM anymore..." He also says, "We will sit down together and decide our strategy - how will the people here be saved, how will be tribals and natives be saved from infiltrators...I have seen this (infiltration from Bangladesh) issue in my region," Lobin said.
He mentioned that he had personally witnessed issues with Bangladeshi intruders, which led him to raise the matter.
Lobin Hembrom Defeated BJP Candidate On Borio Seat In 2019 Jharkhand Election
Lobin defeated BJP leader Surya Narayan Hansda in the Borio seat in 2019, receiving 77,365 votes compared to Hansda's 59,441. In that election, JMM secured 47.4% of the vote, while BJP garnered 36.4%, with AJSU coming in third.
Meanwhile, BJP state president Babulal Marandi said, "Champai Soren, Lobin Hembram, and Sita Soren ji founded Jharkhand Mukti Morcha with hard work and effort, but they were despised there."
Marandi also said the original goals of the tribals and locals in forming the JMM government were not achieved. Instead of benefiting the people of Jharkhand, the government ended up favouring those who had no real concern for the tribals or the local population.