The State BJP today predicated that after May 23 Lok Sabha results, JMM will be routed out in State as party is confident of making entry in Santhal Pargana--the JMM bastion in State. The BJP is optimistic of winning all three seats in Santhal Pargana going to poll in last phase of election. Presently, out of three seats in Santhal, the JMM has two seats Dumka and Rajmahal while one seat Godda is held by BJP sitting MP Nishikant Dubey.
State BJP spokesperson, Pratul Shahdeo said, “The JMM’s empire in Santhal Pargana has been built with loot and lie will collapse after May 23 election results. The voters are asking from JMM executive president Hemant Soren what they have done for Santhal in the region which they have ruled for more four decades.” Shahdeo said, “The voters will teach a lesson to JMM in this election.”
The BJP leader claimed that JMM has treated Tribals and Moolvasi as only vote bank. Shahdeo said, “The Soren family has created property worth more than Rs 500 crore, but the condition of poor tribals and Moolvasi has not improved. These people are still living in pitiable condition.”
The battle for Santhal Pargana is do-or-die contest for BJP and JMM. Santhal Pargana has remained as safe bastion of JMM as its party president and patriarch Shibu Soren has represented Dumka seat for eight times. If he wins the election he will create history in State for reaching Lok Sabha for nine times. Also most of JMM lawmakers are from Santhal region. Party executive president Hemant Soren too is MLA from Barhait assembly segment.
The Rajmahal seat which borders Dumka too has influence of JMM patriarch as JMM has been representing the seat continuously in the Lok Sabha. JMM sitting MP Vijay Hansdak, who is contesting the election for second time is son of former MP and old war horse Thomas Hansdak. In Rajmahal too people consider Shibu Soren as ‘Dishom Guru’. The status Shibu Soren enjoys in Santhal Pargana can be gauged from the fact that in 2014 Modi wave too, JMM managed to win two seats.
However, this time the BJP has worked hard to break JMM bastions. Apart from various welfare schemes such as inland port in Sahibganj, AIIMS and Airport in Deoghar, Chief Minister Raghubar Das has campaigned extensively in Santhal areas.
The BJP spokesperson Shahdeo said, “The party is sure to win all 14 seats in Jharkhand and the BJP itself will cross 300 marks in Lok Sabha.” The BJP leader attacked the Mahagathbandhan of low level campaigning. He said, “Abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become a fashion for opposition, but in this election the people will give a befitting reply to such parties.”