Hemant Soren, heading a JMM-Congress-RJD alliance government in Jharkhand, is eyeing to create history in the November Assembly election by attempting to form the government again.
Jharkhand will go to polls on November 13 and 20 with results (counting) on November 23. In the four Assembly elections held after the state's creation (carved out of Bihar in 2000), a chief minister never retained power for a second term.
“We are confident of retaining power for the second term under the leadership of Hemant ji based on the popular schemes for every section of people. Hemant ji has fought for the rights of the people especially the outstanding dues of ₹ 1.36 lakh crore from the Centre and has proven himself as a leader concerned at the plights of tribal people in the state but also in other states. His decision for tribals working in tea fields of Assam is a case in point,” said JMM MLA Sudivya Kumar Sonu.
Just about two weeks after Hemant wrote a letter to his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma, with concern expressed towards the marginalisation of tea tribes despite their significant contribution to the economy of the country, the Jharkhand government on Monday cleared a proposal aimed at the formation of a committee to study the condition of tribals in Assam and other states.
The proposed committee would examine the situation of tribals from Jharkhand who were displaced and rehabilitated in places like Assam and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during British rule.
The JMM leader further said that the JMM rank and file have been asked to spread awareness about popular schemes of the government among the masses.
“Party leaders and even leaders of the alliance partners have been asked to inform the masses about popular schemes to the masses so that people know what the government has done for them. The leaders have also been asked to counter the misinformation spread about the government by the BJP,” added Sonu.
BJP leaders have been accusing the ruling alliance of indulging in corruption and patronizing Bangladeshi infiltrators who in turn are changing the social demography in the tribal heartland of Santhal Pargana.
Hemant, who has met senior Congress leaders in Delhi recently, has already announced that they would contest the state poll along with the ruling alliance and newly floated INDIA bloc, hinting that Left parties would also be part of the alliance.
Former Congress state president, Rajesh Thakur claimed that issues like the Sarna dharma code and tribal welfare measures initiated by the Hemant government will lead to polarisation of tribal votes for the ruling alliance.
“Tribal people will support the ruling alliance as they did in the Lok Sabha poll. The Sarna dharma code and scholarship for tribal students and other tribal welfare measures by the state government show the intention of the government,” said Thakur.
He added that ruling alliance seat sharing details would be announced soon by the chief minister.
BJP state spokesperson Pratul Sahdeo said that corruption, failed promises and Bangladeshi infiltration have made the people realise that there is no alternative other than the BJP.
“The rampant corruption, failed promises of the current government and Bangladeshi infiltrators' atrocities against the tribal people have made people stand firmly with BJP this time. There is strong anti-incumbency,” said Sahdeo.
