As the political temperature rises in Jharkhand, the upcoming Lok Sabha elections promise a gripping contest, particularly in the state’s five seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs). Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) confident assertion of sweeping all 14 seats in the state, the battle in these tribal-dominated constituencies presents a formidable challenge.
Historically, the BJP has not clinched all 14 Lok Sabha seats in the region, even before the formation of Jharkhand. Despite riding on the waves of Modi’s popularity in the last two general elections, the party secured 12 seats in 2014 and 11 in 2019, falling short of its ambitious targets.
The key obstacle lies in the enduring influence wielded by the stalwarts of Jharkhand-centric parties in these tribal strongholds. Among Jharkhand’s 14 Lok Sabha seats, five are reserved for STs, namely Singhbhum, Khunti, Lohardaga, Dumka, and Rajmahal. While the first three constituencies will go to the polls in the fourth phase on May 13, the remaining two will vote in the seventh phase on June 1.
In the previous elections, the BJP clinched three of these seats, while the Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) secured one each in 2019. This time, the JMM is set to contest three seats, with the Congress vying for the remaining two.
However, the significance of tribal votes extends beyond these reserved constituencies, influencing outcomes in at least three of the state’s general (unreserved) seats. According to estimates, tribals constituted 26.2 percent of Jharkhand’s population in 2011, underlining their pivotal role in shaping the state’s political landscape.
Dumka and Rajmahal, located in Santhal Pargana, and Singhbhum in Kolhan, along with Khunti and Lohardaga in North Chotanagpur commissionerate, are crucial battlegrounds. The Santhal tribe holds sway in Santhal Pargana, while the Ho tribe commands influence in Kolhan, and the Munda and Oraon tribes dominate North Chotanagpur.
As the electoral drumbeat grows louder, the contest in Jharkhand’s tribal heartlands is poised to be intense, with seasoned politicians like Arjun Munda and Sita Soren stepping into the fray. With tribal aspirations and regional identities at play, the battle for these reserved seats is set to be a high-voltage affair, capturing the attention of political pundits and voters alike.
