By PC Bureau
The Jharkhand Assembly elections kick off today with Phase 1, as voters in 43 of the state’s 81 seats head to the polls. This first round centers on the tribal-rich regions of South Chotanagpur, northern Palamu, and Kolhan, with 20 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and six for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
Campaign promises from the major parties reveal contrasting visions. The BJP’s 25-point Sankalp Patra addresses a broad spectrum of issues, including a notable promise to exempt tribal communities in Kolhan from the Uniform Civil Code. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc has built its campaign around social justice, unveiling seven key “guarantees” covering education, food security, jobs, and farmers’ welfare. They are also advocating for a reservation structure with 28% for tribals, 12% for Dalits, and 27% for OBCs, aiming to safeguard the interests of Jharkhand’s minority and marginalized communities.
Key Contests and Constituencies in Phase 1
Phase 1 of the Jharkhand Assembly elections is marked by high-stakes contests across several key constituencies. In Saraikela, former Chief Minister Champai Soren, now running as a BJP candidate after leaving the JMM(S) in August, is a significant contender. In Jamshedpur West, Congress’s Health Minister Banna Gupta faces JD(U) veteran Saryu Roy, who previously made headlines by defeating former Chief Minister Raghubar Das in 2019. In Jamshedpur East, the contest intensifies as Congress’s Ajoy Kumar goes head-to-head with BJP’s Purnima Das, the daughter-in-law of Raghubar Das.
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In Jagannathpur, BJP’s Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, competes against Congress candidate Sona Ram Sinku. Meanwhile, the Ranchi seat sees a face-off between long-time BJP MLA CP Singh and JMM leader, Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji.
The Political Battleground: JMM vs. BJP
The JMM-led Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and the BJP-led NDA are the primary contenders in this election phase. Of the 43 seats contested, the JMM has fielded candidates in 23 seats, Congress in 17, and RJD, led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, in five seats, two of which involve matchups against alliance partners. On the NDA side, the BJP is contesting 36 seats, Sudesh Mahto’s AJSU has candidates in four, Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) in two, and Chirag Paswan’s LJP (R) in one.
