Why Chhattisgarh Election Results Will Have A Direct Impact On Jharkhand Politics

Ranchi: Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have so many similarities – both were created almost at the same time, some 18 years back, both have a large number of tribal voters, and Naxalism has been an issue for both of them.

But very few would be aware of the fact that the present Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Raghubar Das was born in Chhattisgarh. And on several occasions, it has been heard during protests against chief minister that, ‘Raghubar Das go back to Chhattisgarh’. Most recent, it was para-teachers who had shouted it during their protest at the foundation day function on November 15 in Ranchi. With BJP witnessing its biggest loss (Congress winning 68 seats out of 90) since the formation of Chhattisgarh, the opposition in Jharkhand will be seen using this slogan more often.

Mineral rich state, Jharkhand is riddled with several political issues including – locals versus outsiders and Bharatiya Janata Janta (BJP) having appointed the first non-tribal chief minister of the state—Raghubar Das. But Das, a former Tata Steel employee who later plunged into active politics, hails from Chhattisgarh. During his four-year -term, the opposition has accused the chief minister of inducting outsiders, in the government job sector. All these have created resentment among the locals.

So a drubbing of BJP in Chhattisgarh, where they had ruled for 15 consecutive years, may have a direct impact in Jharkhand’s politics.

Jharkhand has 81 assembly seats, and in 2014, BJP had fallen short of securing a majority after having won only 36 seats. Later, 6 MLAs from Babulal Marandi’s Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) switched side and joined the saffron party, which helped BJP to reach the magical figure.

With it getting evident that the opposition will have to make a Mahagathbandhan (Megha Alliance) in the approaching 2019 Lok Sabha election, to wrestle off BJP from power in centre. BJP at present has 12 MPs from 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand. But after BJP tasting its worst defeat in Chhattisgarh Assembly Polls, it looks like things might get a bit difficult for the party not only during the upcoming Lok Sabha election but in Jharkhand Assembly Polls too.

The mood looks set, as former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Hemant Soren was quick to tweet on the results: “Today’s #AssemblyElections2018Results show peoples’ resentment, anger & frustration with the ruling #bjp state & central govts. It is a clarion call to #Mission2019, a battle of harmony Vs communalism, peace Vs hate politics & upholding the cause of the marginalised in our society (sic).”

While the first Chief Minister of Jharkhand and JVM Chief Babulal Marandi speaking to eNewsroom said, “Narendra Modi was spreading communalism, and was indulging in cow and Mandir-Masjid politics, which people of India has clearly rejected. It will have its impact on Jharkhand too. In fact, the reverse counting for the BJP government has just begun.”