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The Jharkhand Assembly Election results have solidified the political power of the Soren couple, Hemant and Kalpana Soren, catapulting the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) to a resounding victory. This win marks their second consecutive term in power, defying predictions and showcasing a potent political strategy effectively countering the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) aggressive campaign. The BJP, despite deploying its star campaigners – including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan – failed to dislodge the incumbent government. Their campaign, heavily focused on Hindutva, corruption allegations, and concerns about infiltration, seemingly failed to resonate with the electorate as effectively as the Sorens' message.
A key element in the JMM's success was the unexpectedly powerful role played by Kalpana Soren. Entering politics earlier this year following her husband's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on money laundering charges related to an alleged land scam, she quickly became a pivotal figure in the campaign. Nicknamed 'Helicopter Madam' by the BJP, a label intended to portray her as an outsider and contrast her with local candidate Muniya Devi, Kalpana's active participation in nearly 200 rallies energized the JMM's grassroots support. This active campaigning, coupled with the sympathy generated by Hemant Soren's arrest, appears to have significantly influenced the tribal vote bank, a crucial demographic in Jharkhand's political landscape. The BJP's attempt to frame this as a negative aspect of the campaign backfired spectacularly, transforming it into a symbol of resilience and defiance amongst the tribal communities.
The JMM's victory is even more remarkable considering the defection of prominent party leaders like Sita Soren, Champai Soren, and Lobin Hembrom to the BJP just before the elections. This internal upheaval could have severely hampered the party's chances, yet the JMM managed to overcome this setback. The results, with JMM leading in 34 out of the 43 seats they contested, underscore the effectiveness of their campaign strategy. This victory demonstrates a clear rejection of the BJP's campaign themes. Voters seemingly prioritized local concerns and existing political dynamics over the national narratives pushed by the BJP. The stark contrast between the BJP's national focus and the Sorens' localized campaign strategy, emphasizing tribal sentiment and addressing local issues, seems to be the decisive factor in the election outcome. The narrative built around Hemant Soren’s imprisonment, far from damaging his standing, proved to be a potent rallying point, fostering sympathy and solidifying support within his tribal base.
The significant victory margins for both Hemant and Kalpana Soren further highlight the success of their campaign. In Barhait, Hemant Soren secured a commanding lead of 37,334 votes against his BJP opponent. Similarly, Kalpana Soren maintained a substantial lead of 9,361 votes, demonstrating the substantial support enjoyed by the JMM even in the face of intense political opposition. The election results paint a clear picture: the Sorens' strategic use of tribal sentiments, coupled with the BJP’s inability to effectively address anti-incumbency and leverage their national campaign effectively, resulted in a decisive victory for the JMM. This win solidifies their position as a major political force in Jharkhand and sets the stage for the next phase of governance in the state, where the challenges will be to address the issues that spurred them to such a convincing win.
Source: How 'Helicopter Madam' Helped Hemant Soren Ground BJP's Flight In Jharkhand