Jharkhand poll cry gets shriller in final phase: BJP talks ‘unity’, JMM ‘identity’

Bracing for the final phase of polling on November 20, after 43 of the 81 legislative assembly seats voted on November 13, Jharkhand stands at a pivotal moment in national politics. The results will be announced on November 23, but the campaign trail has already showcased the contrasting visions of the two main rivals, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Opposition BJP. This election is more than just about seats; it is a contest over identity and the state’s future direction.
The two coalitions, the JMM-led INDIA bloc and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), are in fierce contention. The BJP is contesting 68 seats, and allies All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) 10, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) two, and Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) one seat.
In the INDIA bloc, the JMM is contesting 43 seats, the Congress 30, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) seven and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) four. Both JMM and CPI(ML) have fielded candidates in the Dhanwar seat; similarly, the Congress and RJD have fielded candidates in the Vishrampur and Chhatarpur seats. Thus, INDIA is effectively united in only 78 of the total 81 seats.
BJP’S RALLYING CRY
On November 10, in Ranchi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress, asserting that the party had strategically divided the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for electoral gains. Modi’s rallying cry, “Ek rahenge toh safe rahenge” (Together, we stay safe), has been interpreted as an effort to cement the BJP’s base, though it remains questionable how well this message will resonate with the Muslim voters, who traditionally haven’t supported the BJP. The BJP’s campaign has doubled down on themes of ‘unity’, promising decisive action against ‘Bangladeshi infiltrators’ and restoration of tribal land allegedly taken away by ‘outsiders’.
The BJP is clearly trying to make inroads into Jharkhand’s 28 per cent tribal voter base—a challenging task in a state where tribal communities have traditionally leaned towards the JMM. With 28 ST-reserved assembly seats, tribal support is crucial to win an election; these communities’ preferences could tip the electoral scales in critical constituencies.

JMM’S TRIBAL IDENTITY AND DOMICILE CAMPAIGN
The JMM’s strategy relies heavily on identity politics, with pledges targeting Jharkhand’s indigenous communities. Central to this platform is a domicile policy based on 1932 land records, an initiative deeply resonant with Jharkhand’s cultural history. By setting 1932 as the cut-off year, the JMM seeks to secure the rights of Jharkhand’s original inhabitants and protect them from the perceived threat of land dispossession by ‘outsiders’.
The JMM has also promised the introduction of a Sarna Dharma Code, which would grant official recognition to the distinct spiritual practices of Jharkhand’s tribal communities. Alongside these cultural initiatives, the JMM’s manifesto pledges significant social policies, including increased reservation of 27 per cent for OBCs, 12 per cent for SCs and 28 per cent for STs. The party has also pitched for a fixed stipend for women and 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs. By framing its campaign on protecting tribal identity and local control, the JMM has tried to project the BJP as an external force attempting to change Jharkhand’s identity.
A CHARGED ELECTORAL ATMOSPHERE
The campaign atmosphere in Jharkhand has been marked by tension and controversies, with accusations exchanged between the BJP and JMM camps. Just after Modi’s speech on November 10, in which he accused the JMM-led coalition of exacerbating caste divisions, the JMM released a manifesto that reaffirmed its stance on identity-based issues, particularly the 1932 domicile policy.
Adding to the charged atmosphere, recent raids by income tax officials on the home of chief minister Hemant Soren’s personal secretary Sunil Srivastava, as well as an FIR filed against BJP leaders by the Ranchi police for allegedly sharing misleading information on social media, have heightened tensions.
The BJP’s promise of unity has come under question as accusations of divisive tactics fly from both sides. Insiders from both the JMM and BJP report that the first phase of voting on November 13 offered no clear edge to either party, placing heightened significance on the final phase on November 20.
HIGH STAKES: LAND AND TRIBAL RIGHTS
Land ownership has long been a sensitive issue in Jharkhand. Tribal rights over land have been integral to the state’s identity and the livelihoods of its indigenous communities. Past BJP governments’ attempts to amend tribal land laws, under then chief minister Raghubar Das, a non-tribal, were widely perceived as threats to tribal autonomy and are believed to have contributed significantly to the BJP’s defeat in the 2019 state polls. In response, the BJP has taken steps to refurbish its image in this election, with Babulal Marandi, a tribal leader, at its helm.
The BJP’s campaign promises laws to protect tribal land from ‘outsiders’ and ‘infiltrators’, thus hoping to regain the trust of Jharkhand’s tribal communities. However, the JMM’s 1932-based policy may strike a deep chord with indigenous voters, who view it as a bulwark against the erosion of their ancestral rights. By framing itself as the guardian of Jharkhand’s cultural and territorial integrity, the JMM has crafted a narrative that directly addresses the question of tribal identity, underscoring the broader implications of this election.
A CLOSE RACE
As Jharkhand approaches its second and final phase of voting, the political landscape remains fluid, with no clear frontrunner. For the BJP, the election represents an opportunity to reclaim a foothold in the state by appealing to tribal voters through promises of unity and security. For the JMM, it is a chance to assert the importance of cultural identity and tribal rights in the face of perceived external threats. With both parties committed to these competing visions, the stakes could not be higher.
The vote on November 20 will be decisive and the results on November 23 will determine the trajectory of Jharkhand’s governance. As the final countdown unfolds, the nation’s gaze remain fixed on Jharkhand, awaiting the outcome of a contest that embodies not only regional issues but a broader ideological divide.
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