In the ongoing 2024 Jharkhand assembly elections, leaders from across the political spectrum are urging citizens to participate and outlining their key issues. Union Minister and BJP leader Sanjay Seth expressed confidence in a BJP victory, claiming the people are frustrated with corruption and alleging unchecked infiltration from Bangladesh. He emphasized that the BJP intends to take strong measures against infiltration if they win the election.
Voter turnout in the initial hours of the first phase has been significant, with Simdega leading at 15.09% voter participation. Notable figures like Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized the democratic significance of voting and urged citizens to uphold values like social justice and inclusive development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message to Jharkhand’s citizens, encouraged everyone, especially first-time voters, to vote with enthusiasm, reminding them to treat voting as a priority. JMM candidate Mahua Maji appealed for votes to help develop Ranchi into a true state capital, highlighting her background in sociology and her involvement in parliamentary debates.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren accused the BJP of funding a “shadow” ad campaign to discredit his administration, allegedly spending over ₹72 lakh in the past month on social media campaigns. He also alleged that numerous WhatsApp groups are being used to fuel divisive narratives against the state.
Home Minister Amit Shah appealed for a high voter turnout, framing the election as an opportunity to eliminate corruption and uphold Jharkhand’s tribal identity, women’s security, and youth employment.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently arrested three individuals linked to an alleged infiltration case, a topic highlighted by the BJP in its campaign. The ED stated that during raids, they recovered items like fake IDs and illegal arms, reinforcing the BJP’s stance on the infiltration issue as a key election theme.
With several prominent issues in focus, including corruption, infiltration, tribal rights, and economic development, this election is expected to be a heated and closely watched contest in Jharkhand.
