Jharkhand Assembly Election: BJP’s High Stakes Electoral Hopes Hinge On Kolhan Region

With just ten days until the first phase of Jharkhand's Assembly election, the southern Kolhan region could play a crucial role in determining the fortunes of the two major political parties in the state, according to a Hindu report.

The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is keen to replicate its 2019 success, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making a strong push to establish a foothold in a region where it suffered a complete defeat in the last Assembly election.

Former Chief Minister Champai Soren may prove to be a catalyst for change. A seasoned JMM leader, he has represented the Saraikela seat six times; however, earlier this year, he defected to the BJP, potentially altering political dynamics in the region.

BJP's 2019 Wipeout

In 2019, the JMM dominated the Kolhan region, winning 11 of the 14 seats, which encompass the districts of East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Saraikela-Kharsawan. The Congress secured two seats, while Saryu Roy, then an Independent candidate, won the Jamshedpur East constituency, defeating the BJP's sitting Chief Minister, Raghubar Das.

A decade ago, the BJP was a strong player in Kolhan. In 2009, it secured six seats, while the JMM won four. In 2014, buoyed by the "Modi wave," the BJP again took six seats in Kolhan, with its ally, the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), gaining another.

The JMM won six, and the remaining seat was claimed by Geeta Koda, who ran as an Independent from Jagannathpur. Notably, in 2019, AJSU did not form part of the BJP-led NDA, which contributed to the alliance's loss in the region.

Of the 14 constituencies in Kolhan, nine are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and one for Scheduled Castes, with the remaining four open seats. Kolhan has produced four of Jharkhand's seven Chief Ministers, including Arjun Munda, Madhu Koda, Champai Soren, and Das, the first non-tribal to hold the position.

Former Foes Turned Allies

In its bid to break the JMM's stronghold, the BJP has brought several former adversaries into its ranks, including Champai Soren and Koda. It has also aligned with AJSU and Janata Dal (United), which now includes former Independent Roy.

The BJP has dropped all losing candidates from 2019 and allocated tickets to family members of prominent politicians. The party will contest ten seats, with its allies competing for the remaining four.

The BJP is investing considerable effort in mobilising its supporters in Kolhan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi having visited the region twice, including a road trip to Jamshedpur during heavy rainfall on 15 September.

BJP candidates from political families include: in Potka, Meera Munda, wife of former Union Minister Arjun Munda, who lost in the Lok Sabha election earlier this year; in Jamshedpur East, Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former CM Raghubar Das, now the Governor of Odisha; Koda, wife of former CM Madhu Koda in Jagannathpur; and Babulal Soren, son of Champai Soren, in Ghatsila.

Banking on Champai's Influence

The BJP is banking on Champai Soren's deep-rooted connection to the Kolhan people, developed through his 35 years with the JMM and his role in the Jharkhand Statehood movement, which earned him the nickname "Kolhan Tiger."

"In the Kolhan region, we have become very strong in the last five years," Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Sahdev said. "Kolhan was the reason we lost power in 2019, with no seats out of 14. However, this time our organisation is rejuvenated to oust the most corrupt government in Jharkhand's history. With Champai Soren and leaders like Arjun Munda campaigning here, the BJP is set to win at least 12 of the 14 seats in Kolhan, marking a turning point in the election and propelling us to power," he added.

'Tiger Turned Rat'

The JMM, however, argued that Champai Soren will have no significant impact in the current election cycle. "JMM was founded by Dishom Guru Shibu Soren ji, and the party has made many tigers, including Champai Soren. JMM produces tigers and lions; however, when they join the BJP, they turn into rats. Champai Soren will have no impact in Kolhan because the people of Jharkhand recognise only one symbol, the bow and arrow [of the JMM]," JMM spokesperson Tanuj Khatri told *The Hindu*.

"The BJP criticises dynastic politics, yet it has handed tickets to sons and wives of politicians in Kolhan. Once again, the BJP will not win a single seat in this region. There was a time when the BJP attacked Madhu Koda over corruption, but now it has given a ticket to his wife," he noted.

The JMM has also made strategic moves, appointing Ghatsila MLA Ramdas Soren to the Cabinet in place of Champai Soren, with Ramdas contesting from his usual seat.

Similarly, Kolhan's Deepak Birua remains a Cabinet Minister and is standing for re-election. Congress Minister Banna Gupta is contesting from Jamshedpur West.