Jharkhand Elections 2024

The first assembly election in Jharkhand was held in 2005, after the state was carved out of Bihar on November 15, 2000. Jharkhand became the 28th state of India, and the first assembly elections marked a significant step toward establishing its political and administrative structure.

The election was held to form the 81-member Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. In the 2005 election, no single party gained a clear majority, leading to a coalition government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies were able to secure power with the support of other regional parties, and Arjun Munda of the BJP became the Chief Minister.

The Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024 will take place in two phases -- on November 13 and 20 -- to elect the 81 members of the assembly. The tenure of the fifth Jharkhand assembly is slated to end on January 5, 2025, and results to the upcoming polls will be declared on November 23, this year.

The last Jharkhand Assembly elections were held in five phases between November 30 and December 20, 2019. These elections were conducted to elect members to the 81-seat Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. The JMM-led alliance, which included the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), emerged victorious. Hemant Soren, the leader of JMM, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for the second time.

In 2022, Hemant Soren faced a major controversy related to the office-of-profit case, where he was accused of granting a mining lease to himself while holding the office of Chief Minister. His close confidant Champai Soren was made the Chief Minister but once Hemant Soren walked out of jail, he staked claim to form the government.

Champai Soren, who had taken oath as the 12th chief minister of Jharkhand on February 2 after Hemant Soren's arrest, met Governor CP Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan and tendered his resignation in the presence of the JMM executive president, capping a day-long drama full of speculations.

Later, Champai Soren resigned from JMM citing unfair treatment and joined BJP. He is contesting elections from Seraikella.

The JMM secured 30 seats, while its alliance partner Congress won 16 seats, and RJD secured one. The BJP which had previously been in power, won 25 seats but was unable to retain control of the state government.

Unemployment and Economic Development: High unemployment rates, especially among the youth, remain a critical concern. Voters are likely to prioritize job creation, skill development, and industrial growth in the state. Jharkhand’s natural resources, like coal and minerals, offer potential for economic development, but their management has been a contentious issue.

Agrarian Issues and Tribal Rights: As a largely agrarian state with a significant tribal population, issues related to agriculture, land rights, and forest conservation are crucial. Tribals are concerned about the implementation of land acquisition laws, forest rights, and displacement due to mining projects.

Corruption and Governance: Allegations of corruption, including those against Chief Minister Hemant Soren (such as the office-of-profit controversy), have raised questions about governance. Voters may seek accountability and transparency from the government.

Education and Healthcare: Jharkhand has faced challenges in improving its education and healthcare systems, especially in rural areas. Poor infrastructure, teacher shortages, and lack of quality healthcare are ongoing concerns.

Law and Order: Issues related to law and order, including Naxal violence in some areas, continue to be significant. Ensuring security and development in Naxal-affected regions will likely be a focus for voters.