Following the resounding victory of the NDA in Bihar, political attention is now shifting towards Jharkhand. While the state’s power dynamics appear stable on the surface, undercurrents of change are growing louder. Reliable sources claim that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren, along with his wife Kalpana Soren, met with a top BJP leader in Delhi recently. The discussions are said to be more than just formal, with initial agreements for a potential alliance reportedly reached. There’s even speculation about the deputy chief minister’s post, with discussions possibly involving Babulal Marandi or Champai Soren for this role.
This political maneuvering comes at a time when there’s no apparent immediate need to alter the ruling coalition in Jharkhand. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance commands a comfortable majority, and the JMM is in a position to govern independently if required. The Congress would likely offer external support to prevent the BJP’s return. However, politics is a complex game of circumstances, pressures, and seizing opportunities.
The Hemant Soren government has faced increasing challenges recently, with several election promises stalled due to financial constraints. Fulfilling pledges like the ‘Maiyaan Samman Yojana,’ offering ₹2,500 monthly to women, and raising the minimum support price for paddy to ₹3,200 per quintal has proven difficult without central government funding. In this context, aligning with the BJP presents a pragmatic option for the JMM.
Conversely, the BJP is also assessing its political strategy in the state after a significant defeat in the recent assembly elections. Internal assessments suggest a return to power under the current political landscape won’t be easy. The BJP’s influence within the tribal community has waned, and its political foothold appears to be shrinking.
Therefore, a partnership with the JMM could significantly boost the BJP’s standing, conveying a message of readiness for dialogue and collaboration with key social groups in the state. Further fueling these rumors is the unusual quiet observed from Hemant Soren and Babulal Marandi, figures often seen as political opposites, over the past few months. Sources suggest Jharkhand’s political landscape is on the cusp of a significant shift, with a new power balance potentially announced at any moment.
