SWAMY DIVYAGYAN
In the upcoming 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections, Santhal Pargana has become a focal battleground for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with voting scheduled for November 20. This tribal-majority region holds substantial political importance, and the BJP has strategically raised issues such as infiltration, reservation, and employment to attract the local electorate. Statements by key BJP leaders, like Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Godda MP Nishikant Dubey, have intensified the political discourse, positioning the BJP as a party committed to addressing tribal concerns. However, political analysts argue that the BJP’s approach may be designed to create divides between tribal and minority communities, potentially fuelling polarisation that could benefit the party.
The Infiltration Issue: A Concern for Security or a Polarization Strategy?
In his speeches, Shivraj Singh Chauhan has consistently highlighted the rise of Bangladeshi infiltration in Santhal Pargana, which, he claims, threatens the identity of the tribal community. He has accused the Hemant Soren government of providing protection to these infiltrators, disturbing the region’s demographic balance. BJP asserts that if it comes to power, it will identify and expel these infiltrators, ensuring the security and preservation of the indigenous tribal identity. This stance seeks to assure the tribal community that the BJP alone can safeguard their heritage and culture.
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However, this issue has a deeper dimension. The BJP’s strong stance on infiltration could create insecurity within the minority, especially the Muslim community, raising questions about communal harmony. From a political standpoint, this polarisation could work in BJP’s favour, as the base support for opposition parties like Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress largely relies on both tribal and minority communities. If the BJP’s stance creates a divide between these communities, it might draw a section of the tribal vote towards the BJP, weakening the opposition’s support base in the region.
Reservation and Employment: Appealing to Marginalized Communities
The BJP has also taken a firm stance on the issue of reservation, accusing the JMM and Congress of attempting to undermine the rights of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Shivraj Singh has emphasized that the BJP is committed to preserving and even expanding reservation opportunities for these communities. Additionally, the BJP has promised unemployment allowances, increased paddy support prices, and regularization of para-teachers.
This focus on reservation and employment highlights the BJP’s intent to attract marginalised communities, especially in a tribal-dominated region like Santhal Pargana, where reservation remains a sensitive and vital issue. While the BJP’s promises could strengthen its appeal among these communities, there is also scepticism regarding the party’s record on fulfilling election promises, which might cause voters to doubt its sincerity on these issues.
Preserving Cultural Heritage: Honouring Tribal Icons or Political Tokenism?
Santhal Pargana’s rich tribal heritage and historical figures play a central role in the BJP’s campaign. MP Nishikant Dubey has promised to honour the contributions of tribal icons such as Sidho-Kanho, Chand-Bhairav, and Phulo-Jhano, vowing that the BJP will preserve and celebrate their legacies. This move can be seen as an emotional appeal to the tribal community, potentially pulling them away from JMM, which traditionally holds a strong base among these voters.
However, opposition parties argue that the BJP is using these tribal symbols for political gain. The JMM, which has long been associated with tribal rights and representation, views the BJP’s promises as an attempt to appropriate tribal heritage for electoral advantage. This approach may indeed attract support from tribal voters, but it could also raise questions about the BJP’s true intent—whether it genuinely respects cultural heritage or is simply leveraging it for political gains.
Potential Consequences: Risk of Polarization and BJP’s Responsibility
The BJP’s strategy in Santhal Pargana could backfire. The region has a delicate social structure where tribal and minority communities coexist, and issues like infiltration and NRC can easily spark communal tensions. While the BJP’s approach may rally a section of the tribal votes by creating a perception of external threats, it risks alienating the Muslim community and heightening communal divides. This could lead to a polarised atmosphere, a double-edged sword for the BJP.
Additionally, if the BJP fails to deliver on its promises after the election, it risks creating disillusionment and mistrust among the electorate. Voters may feel that the BJP used these issues only for electoral advantage, damaging the party’s credibility and weakening its position in future elections. This lack of trust could lead to further political challenges for BJP in the state.
Conclusion: A Strategy of Issues or Polarization?
The BJP’s electoral strategy in Santhal Pargana aims to attract tribal and marginalized communities, focusing on issues like infiltration, reservation, and employment. The party’s approach has the potential to be effective if it fosters genuine development and social cohesion. However, there is also a risk that this strategy could be seen as a means of polarizing communities, which might bring short-term gains but harm the social fabric in the long run.
For voters, it is essential to scrutinize these issues carefully and assess whether BJP’s campaign is genuinely in the interest of Santhal Pargana’s development or simply a tactic for electoral advantage. If the BJP sincerely commits to these issues and follows through, it could contribute to the overall progress of the region. Otherwise, the strategy may be seen as a temporary manoeuvre aimed solely at gaining political mileage.
The outcome in Santhal Pargana will play a decisive role in shaping the political landscape of Jharkhand, and the electorate’s response to BJP’s approach will soon become clear.
