The recent developments in Jharkhand ahead of the 2024 elections have drawn comparisons to past election incidents, particularly the 2019 Surat Lok Sabha election, where a Congress candidate’s candidacy was derailed due to a backing-out proposer, leading to an unopposed victory for the BJP. In Jharkhand, similar speculation emerged around Mandal Murmu, a key figure in Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s candidacy, after rumors circulated that Murmu might defect to the BJP.
This fueled anxiety within the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) as Murmu, who has notable tribal heritage tied to the Santhal Mutiny, holds symbolic and political significance in Jharkhand. Concerns spiked on October 27, when Murmu’s vehicle was reportedly pursued, and he was temporarily detained along with two Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha leaders and taken to the Dumri Police Station. His detention prompted intervention from Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, who reprimanded Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary and DGP, stating that the Model Code of Conduct had not been respected.
Adding to the intrigue, BJP’s Godda MP Nishikant Dubey posted on social media, suggesting that Murmu, as a descendant of the 1855 Santhal Mutiny hero Sidho-Kanhu, was on his way to discuss anti-infiltration measures with BJP leaders, accusing JMM of detaining him unjustly. In response, JMM’s spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya stated that Murmu had been taken by unknown persons, to which Murmu himself responded, clarifying that his role as a proposer didn’t restrict him from meeting others.
With both parties locked in a blame game, BJP later named Gamliyel Hembrom as Soren’s opponent in the Barhait constituency, intensifying the rivalry between BJP and JMM. This issue has since become a focal point of political contention, highlighting the high-stakes nature of tribal representation and alliances in Jharkhand’s electoral landscape.
