The BJP’s plan for the Jharkhand elections involves several key strategies:
– **Focusing on Success**: Concentrating on 52 Assembly seats where the party performed well in the Lok Sabha elections.
– **Strategic Messaging**: Using themes of “infiltration” and “demographic change” to influence voter perception.
– **Voter Consolidation**: Strengthening support among OBC (Other Backward Classes) and Dalit communities.
These elements are central to the party’s electoral strategy in Jharkhand.
The BJP is gearing up for the Jharkhand Assembly elections with a focused strategy:
– **Leverage Key Leaders**: Deploying top BJP leaders to secure victories in at least 10 of the 28 Scheduled Tribe (ST)-reserved Assembly seats.
– **Target Key Constituencies**: Focusing on the 52 constituencies where the party led in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
– **Strategic Messaging**: Emphasizing issues like “infiltration” and “demographic change” in the Santal Pargana region.
– **Voter Consolidation**: Aiming to consolidate support among OBC (Other Backward Classes) and Dalit voters, while maintaining its influence over upper-caste voters.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is directing the strategy for the BJP, is being closely involved in these efforts. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who also oversees the state, is playing more of an advisory role.
In the 82-member Jharkhand Assembly, the BJP holds 26 seats and its ally, the All Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU), has three more. The ruling alliance of JMM, Congress, and RJD controls 47 seats.
Despite winning the most seats in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP did not secure any of the five ST-reserved parliamentary constituencies. JMM leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren is using his recent arrest and subsequent bail to bolster his tribal support.
Sources indicate that Himanta Biswa Sarma is emphasizing the importance of this election, warning that failing to win in Jharkhand now could mean the BJP remains out of power in the state for another 15 years.
According to a BJP insider involved in shaping the party’s election strategy, the BJP is planning several key moves for the Jharkhand Assembly elections:
– **High-Profile Candidates**: The party aims to field prominent leaders, especially tribal figures, in the Assembly elections. This includes potential candidates like former Union minister Arjun Munda, former MPs Geeta Koda, Sunil Soren, Sudarshan Bhagat, Shibu Soren’s daughter-in-law Sita, former Ranchi mayor Asha Lakra, and BJP state chief Babulal Marandi. The idea is to leverage these influential names to win at least 10 ST-reserved seats and also to boost support in neighboring constituencies.
– **Tribal Vote Strategy**: The BJP is emphasizing its commitment to tribal welfare, highlighted by its various initiatives, including commemorating tribal leader Birsa Munda’s birthday as ‘Janjaatiya Gaurav Diwas.’ However, Arjun Munda, who suffered a significant defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections, is reportedly hesitant about contesting, particularly if offered a seat in Kolhan rather than his traditional Khunti.
– **Narrative of Threats**: The party is raising concerns about alleged “Muslim infiltration” in tribal areas, particularly Santhal Pargana, to garner tribal support. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey have made controversial statements about “infiltrators” threatening tribal land and jobs, with Dubey calling for a separate Union territory. Babulal Marandi has also called for an investigation into the declining tribal population in Santhal Pargana.
– **Electoral Focus**: The BJP is concentrating on the 52 Assembly seats where it led in the Lok Sabha elections and is also working to consolidate support among upper castes, OBCs, and SCs. The party plans to highlight perceived failures of the Hemant Soren government in addressing issues related to these groups.
– **Challenges with OBC Voters**: There is discontent among some OBC voters, particularly the Kudmi Mahatos, who feel let down by the BJP’s failure to grant them tribal status. The Kudmi Mahatos are a significant voting bloc in Jharkhand, and their dissatisfaction could impact several key seats. The BJP’s reliance on the AJSU to appeal to these voters might be less effective due to internal competition and the rise of new leaders like Jairam Mahato.
The BJP believes that even if it does not replicate its Lok Sabha success across all 52 targeted constituencies, securing the 10 tribal seats would still be a significant achievement. The party’s strategy is designed to address its core constituencies while trying to sway tribal and other key voters.