In his first Jharkhand rally, ‘stability’ joins PM Modi ‘guarantees’

Crucial to that campaign, and the BJP’s bid to return to power in the state, is the tribal vote. Tribals comprise a quarter of Jharkhand’s population as per the 2011 Census, and number at least a lakh in 21 of the state’s 24 districts. Of the state’s 81 Assembly seats (plus 1 nominated), 28 are reserved for STs.

Not only did the BJP alienate the tribals by picking a non-tribal, Raghubar Das, as its Chief Minister the last time it was in power in Jharkhand, the imprisonment of sitting CM Hemant Soren over money laundering charges has been projected by his party JMM as an attack on tribals by the BJP-led Central government. In this year’s Lok Sabha polls, the BJP failed to win any of the ST-reserved seats in Jharkhand.

The BJP is pitching for the tribal vote in Jharkhand claiming that increasing infiltration by “Bangladeshis” is leading to diminishing of the tribal influence in the state. It has also alleged that infiltrators are marrying tribal women to take over their land, and usurping jobs meant for locals in the state.

On Monday, in his speech, Modi described the JMM-led ruling alliance as “ghuspaithiya bandhan (infiltrators’ alliance)” and “mafia ka ghulam (mafia’s slave)” for allegedly supporting Bangladeshi infiltrators, and added that the security, prosperity and stability of tribals was at stake in the state, and that they could choose the path of “suvidha” by voting in the BJP for a “double-engine government”.

Nishikant Dubey, senior BJP leader and an MP from Jharkhand, said PM Modi would “elaborate” on these promises further at a rally in mid-November. “What the PM has promised for tribals, and non-tribals, is that a BJP government will work to ensure that they do not have to leave their home state to improve their lives. The schemes of the Central government have already benefited people in Jharkhand. And the party is committed to building 21 lakh houses under the PM Awas Yojana,” he told The Indian Express.

Incidentally, in an affidavit filed in the Jharkhand High Court in September, the Union Home Ministry had acknowledged concern over “illegal migration in parts of Jharkhand”, but added that “linkages to Bangladeshi immigrants” in any land-related cases were not established “so far”.

However, Dubey argued that the changing demography in the state was proof that “there is an issue”.

In his Monday rally, Modi accused the JMM, Congress and RJD of using Bangladeshi infiltrators for “vote bank politics”, saying the ruling allies were helping them settle in the state, posing a threat to its social structure.

As part of the “samriddhi” promise, the BJP has talked of a boost to job creation; gas cylinders at Rs 500, with two provided annually for free; and a two-year stipend of Rs 2,000 per month for graduates struggling to begin their careers.

The BJP also sees Jharkhand in the context of being a “border state”, with all its implications. As of now, Opposition parties are in power in several such states, including Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and West Bengal. “Stability, facilities for improving living standards, security and prosperity are the BJP’s promises for border states. Jharkhand is no exception in that context,” said a party leader.

Sources said the BJP is also in a renewed push to win states – after losing a succession of them – as this is crucial for the Modi government’s next phase of planned measures, such as ‘One Nation, One Election’. The move would require the support of states as it needs constitutional amendments.