In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP faced significant setbacks in Jharkhand, failing to secure any of the five seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST). Despite extensive campaigning by leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the BJP lost in Khunti, Lohardaga, Chaibasa, Rajmahal, and Dumka.
The BJP, which won eight out of 14 seats in Jharkhand overall, saw notable defeats in key tribal constituencies:
- Khunti: Arjun Munda lost to Congress’s Kalicharan Munda by 149,000 votes.
- Lohardaga: Congress’s Sukhdeo Bhagat won by 123,000 votes.
- Chaibasa: Geeta Koda lost to Jobha Manjhi by 168,402 votes.
- Dumka: Sita Soren lost to JMM’s Nalin Soren by 30,000 votes.
- Rajmahal: Vijay Hansda retained his seat with a margin of 178,264 votes.
The arrest of former Chief Minister Hemant Soren by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a land scam significantly influenced tribal sentiment, garnering sympathy and support for the INDIA bloc. The BJP’s failure to address the Sarna Code demand, seeking distinct religious classification for tribal communities, alienated tribal voters.
Fielding new candidates like Geeta Koda, who switched from Congress, did not resonate with the electorate. Internal conflicts and dissatisfaction within the party may have also contributed to the losses.
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The BJP’s defeat in tribal seats highlights the need for introspection and reevaluation of strategies concerning tribal communities. Moving forward, the BJP must focus on rebuilding trust with tribal voters, addressing their specific demands, and fostering genuine engagement with community leaders. The upcoming state assembly elections will be crucial for the BJP to regain lost ground and demonstrate its commitment to tribal issues.
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