Ranchi, Nov 23: Hemant Soren’s JMM-led alliance has secured a commanding victory in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, returning to power for a second consecutive term. The coalition, comprising the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), won 52 seats and led in four others, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 41 in the 81-member assembly. This triumph highlights the alliance’s strong grassroots connect and its ability to mobilize voters effectively, even against a determined BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The BJP, which had launched an aggressive campaign with a focus on issues such as infiltrators in the Santhal Parganas region, managed to win 21 seats and was leading in three, a significant reduction from its previous performance. The NDA’s narrative failed to gain traction against the JMM’s emphasis on tribal identity and the emotional appeal generated by Hemant Soren’s legal challenges. Soren described the victory as “passing the exam of democracy” and extended his gratitude to the people of Jharkhand for their overwhelming support.
The JMM emerged as the dominant force within the coalition, winning or leading in 34 of the 43 seats it contested. The Congress, which contested 30 seats, secured victories in 16 constituencies, while the RJD claimed four of the six seats it contested. Smaller allies like the CPI(ML) Liberation also made their presence felt by winning two of the four seats they contested. The BJP faced internal challenges, including dissent over the selection of candidates, which appeared to have impacted its electoral prospects. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was a key strategist for the BJP in Jharkhand, expressed deep disappointment over the outcome.
Hemant Soren’s victory in the Barhait constituency was particularly notable, as he increased his margin to 39,791 votes, significantly higher than the 25,740-vote lead he achieved in 2019. His wife, Kalpana Soren, played a crucial role in revitalizing the party during her husband’s legal troubles and led in the Gandey seat with an unassailable margin of 16,960 votes. However, the BJP struggled to make significant inroads among tribal voters, winning only one Scheduled Tribe-reserved seat in Seraikela, where former Chief Minister Champai Soren triumphed by 20,447 votes.
The election results also saw a reshaping of the political landscape for some key figures. Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri suffered a severe defeat in Chandankiyari, where he was relegated to third place. Four prominent ministers from the ruling alliance, including Health Minister Banna Gupta and Water Resources Minister Mithilesh Thakur, faced tough battles and were on the verge of losing their seats. Despite these challenges, the alliance’s overall mandate was a resounding endorsement of its leadership and policies.
The elections recorded the highest voter turnout in Jharkhand’s history, with 67.74% of eligible voters casting their ballots. The polling was conducted in two phases, covering 43 seats on November 13 and 38 seats on November 20. The festive celebrations at the offices of the JMM, Congress, and RJD reflected the mood of victory, while BJP offices witnessed subdued reactions, with party members reflecting on the reasons behind their loss.
The alliance’s decisive win underscores Hemant Soren’s continued relevance in Jharkhand politics and the coalition’s ability to rally diverse voter groups. This electoral success is also a testament to the enduring importance of tribal identity and grassroots mobilization in shaping the state’s political narrative. With a strong mandate, the Soren-led government faces the dual challenge of meeting heightened public expectations and addressing critical issues such as unemployment, tribal rights, and rural development.
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