Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren, leading a JMM-Congress-RJD coalition government in the state, anticipated a sweeping defeat for the BJP across all parliamentary constituencies here.

Speaking at a foundation stone laying ceremony for a degree college and inaugurating various projects in Chaibasa, West Singhbhum district, approximately 150km from the state capital Ranchi, Soren said: “The BJP failed to secure a single Assembly seat in the Kolhan region during the last elections, and in this Lok Sabha election, they are poised to lose all 14 seats.”

During the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP faced a setback in the Kolhan region, failing to win any of the 14 Assembly seats. Thirteen seats went to the JMM and Congress alliance, while an Independent candidate, Saryu Roy, clinched one seat, defeating former chief minister and current Odisha governor Raghubar Das in Jamshedpur East.

The Singhbhum parliamentary constituency gained significance with the incumbent MP Geeta Koda switching allegiance from the Congress to the BJP last month. The constituency is scheduled to vote in the fourth phase on May 13.

Criticising the BJP’s governance, Champai accused the party of exploiting the state’s mineral and natural resources while leaving the populace entrenched in poverty. He said: “Despite governing the state for the longest tenure since its inception in 2000, the BJP prioritised resource exploitation, neglecting the welfare of our people, and stalling the state’s development.”

Soren lambasted the BJP for purportedly insincere gestures towards tribal and indigenous communities during election campaigns, asserting: “Their claims of championing tribal and indigenous rights are hollow. During their tenure, they attempted to amend the CNT Act, a colonial-era legislation safeguarding tribal land rights, and undermined the authority of tribal village heads.”

During the previous Raghubar Das-led government between 2017-18, the state witnessed widespread tribal unrest over alleged attempts to amend land tenancy laws.

Highlighting the challenges faced under his son, Hemant Soren’s leadership, Champai criticised the Centre for allegedly attempting to disrupt the state government. He cited Soren’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 over alleged money laundering charges related to a land scam.

Asserting their commitment to education, Champai emphasised efforts to enhance educational infrastructure and promote learning in tribal and regional languages across the state. He outlined initiatives such as establishing model schools and colleges in each block, recruiting additional teachers, and implementing policies to facilitate access to higher education for poor students.

The Jharkhand cabinet endorsed a proposal to distribute school bags annually to over 37 lakh students in Classes I to VIII attending government schools.