Oneindia's Jharkhand Diary - Last Day Of Campaigning For The First Phase of Polls

As Jharkhand gears up for the first phase of voting on November 13, election fever has reached its peak. OneIndia's team set out on a journey from Ranchi to To Seraikela via Jamshedpur to capture the pulse of the region.

The city of Jamshedpur, once the industrial capital of the integrated Bihar-Jharkhand region, remains an electoral hotspot. The city is divided into two assembly constituencies: Jamshedpur East and Jamshedpur West, both witnessing intense head-to-head battles.

In Jamshedpur East, Congress's candidate Dr Ajay Kumar, a former IPS officer, is facing off against BJP's Purnima Sahu, the daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur West has turned into a "Clash of Titans" as the seasoned Saryu Rai, representing JDU on a "Cylinder" symbol, squares off with the Congress-backed Banna Gupta of the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance).

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a rally in Adityapur, on the outskirts of Jamshedpur, drawing much of the BJP and NDA's resources to that area. Meanwhile, in other parts of the city, the BJP's campaign energy was comparatively lower. Banna Gupta and his Congress team conducted a door-to-door campaign, while Dr. Ajay Kumar led a roadshow from Sanjay Market in Birsanagar to Sakchi.

OneIndia's team joined Dr. Kumar's convoy, which was packed with enthusiastic supporters. The roadshow featured six campaign vehicles, an open jeep with the candidate, and hundreds of supporters on bikes, cars and on foot, all chanting slogans and displaying their loyalty to the Congress candidate. In an interview to Oneindia, Dr. Kumar stated his commitment to "public service". His campaign focused on providing quality education, employment and a peaceful environment to the residents.

However, gauging the mindset of Jamshedpur's voters proved challenging, as many were hesitant to express their views openly. Minority groups seem to be fully supportive of Congress, while the business community, though discreet, appears to lean towards the BJP. The youth exhibit some interest in Congress, but the women voters seems more inclined towards the BJP. The undecided lower-income, Dalit and tribal voters, who comprise around 26% of the state's electorate, remain a critical factor that could tilt the balance for any party.

An interesting pattern Oneindia observed was how quickly the mood of the crowd could change. As soon as Dr. Kumar's convoy passed through the narrow streets of Sakchi, with supporters cheering for him, others began chanting pro-Modi and nationalist slogans. Among them was Dinesh Giri, a cycle rickshaw puller whose earnings have dwindled due to the rise of e-rickshaws. Although he has little information on the local candidates, he expressed a preference for "Modi" as the best option.

Infrastructural development is not a major issue for Jamshedpur, given its established industrial base. However, inflation and employment do resonate with the people, albeit without the zeal one might expect. This election seems to hinge less on specific issues and more on ideological allegiance. One vegetable vendor, for example, told us he cares solely about "nationalism," and that's why he only sees "the Lotus."

In the nearby Sanjay Market in Birsanagar, we caught a glimpse of Jharkhand's tribal industry. Women from the Dalit (Lohar) community sat along the roadside, making and selling traditional sal plates, cups and bundles of dried wood.

These women explained they buy leaves from the forest, make them into plates and sell them in the local market. Their survival still largely depends on the forests, yet they receive little governmental aid-just a few kilograms of free ration. Despite their hardships and lack of campaign attention, they vote diligently in every election.

The Tribal Belt and the Historic Seraikela

Further down from Jamshedpur lies Seraikela, an area steeped in cultural heritage and known for its distinctive tribal identity. The region has been an integral part of Jharkhand's tribal belt, where political issues such as land rights, tribal autonomy, and protection from illegal land encroachment hold particular importance. The residents here have long been cautious about protecting their land and cultural heritage, especially in light of the increasing concerns over Bangladeshi infiltration that has become a central election issue.

Seraikela's history dates back centuries when it was part of the Seraikela-Kharsawan princely state, known for its rich tribal traditions and unique identity. Today, it's a part of Jharkhand's fight to maintain its cultural essence amidst the pressures of industrialisation and demographic changes.

Infiltration and the Tribal Voter's Response

Across this region, voters are wary of promises. The BJP's pitch against infiltration has found traction among some tribal voters, who fear losing land and culture to outsiders. Yet, the JMM-led coalition's opposition to UCC and NRC resonates with those who seek tribal-centric policies. Both parties aim to appeal to the tribal belt, but for these voters, the choice of a leader remains contingent on who can genuinely assure them a safe future, grounded in their unique identity.