The dates for the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand have been announced. In both states, there is a head-to-head contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Development Alliance and the opposition Hindu Bloc. Maharashtra has an NDA government and Jharkhand has an opposition coalition government headed by the JMM.
However, the seat sharing between the two states is yet to be finalized. Efforts are underway to finalize talks between NDA and India Block allies. The morale of the BJP is high after winning the first Lok Sabha election and the Haryana Assembly election. Preparations for the Indian block are also intensifying.
1. This time the BJP will enter Jharkhand with its allies.
In fact, the BJP hopes to do well in the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections. The Haryana election results have given a boost to the BJP. The enthusiasm of leading cadres is high, and the morale of employees is high. The party believes it will do well in Maharashtra and Jharkhand as well. The BJP’s main contest in Jharkhand is with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-Congress alliance. This time, the BJP will contest the elections here in partnership with the All India Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU), the Janata Party (Ram Vilas) and the Janata Dal United (Janata Dal United).
In 2019, the BJP contested the Jharkhand elections alone, while the RJD formed an alliance with the Congress and the RJD. There are a total of 81 seats in the state. The alliance won 47 seats. The BJP could win only 25 seats. The then BJP chief minister Raghuvar Das himself had lost the election. He was defeated by Saryu Rai, a BJP rebel from Jamshedpur East constituency.
2. What are the major problems in Jharkhand?
Hemant Soren is the chief minister of Jharkhand and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has the support of the Congress. CM Soren is surrounded by corruption allegations. He is out on bail. The BJP keeps raising the issue of corruption and is ready to cash in on Champai Soren’s wrath. In fact, when Hemant was in jail, the party appointed Champai as its new prime minister.
Also read: Why by-elections to 4 assembly seats in Bihar? Know – the big leagues or the NDA…whose credibility is at stake?
However, when Hemant was released after five months, Chhapai had to resign as chairman and joined the BJP in anger. The BJP has now started trying to build a tribal vote bank with the help of Shanpai. Tribal voters are the decisive factor in any election in Jharkhand. Soren and JMM have strengthened this vote bank, but the BJP is also trying to make it work in its favour. Inflation, unemployment and economic inequality will become election issues in the state. The Opposition will try to raise these issues vigorously.
3. What are the challenges faced by Hemant in Jharkhand?
The Hemant Soren-led government is facing a five-year-old anti-incumbency wave. JMM suffered losses in Lok Sabha election results. Issues of alleged corruption and the rapidly changing demographic profile of the tribal-dominated region are also topical. The BJP is attacking religious conversions. Hemant Soren is caught in a land scam. However, JMM and Hemant Soren alleged that the BJP was trying to destabilize their government. But whether this move will be successful will not be known until the election results come out.
The Congress is in alliance with the JMM, but the party’s position is weaker. Its electoral performance and coalition strength will be an important factor. The BJP has adopted a strategy of promoting tribal leadership in Jharkhand. First, Draupadi Murmu was appointed president. Following this, Mohan Majhi was appointed as the Chief Minister of Odisha and recently Champai Soren joined the BJP. The BJP is believed to have a special focus on this community and this will be an important factor in the elections.
4. What is the big problem in Maharashtra?
The reservation issue is hot-button in Maharashtra and opposition parties are trying to corner the BJP-Mahayutty government with help. The Maratha community has been demanding reservation of OBC quota for the past six months. However, the Other Backward Class (OBC) community opposed this demand and the fight between the two communities did not stop. The government has been unable to find a settlement.
At the same time, the Dhangar community also started demanding tribal status. Here, the ST class (tribal community) opposed this demand of the Dhangar community. The political stance of Manoj Jarange Patil, who leads the Maratha reservation movement, could have an impact on many parliamentary constituencies. The BJP faces the challenge of damage control and finding a middle path. Apart from this, the farmers’ movement and its issues in rural Maharashtra will also have an impact on the election results. Farmers’ issues will become an important electoral factor for all parties.
Also read: By-election announced for Kedarnath Assembly seat, which fell vacant after the death of Shaila Rawat.
5. How much has Maharashtra changed in five years?
There is currently a Mahayuthy government in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde serves as chief minister. NCP chief Ajit Pawar and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis serve as deputy ministers. Maharashtra has continued to be unrest since the results of the 2019 elections were announced. The BJP is contesting the elections in alliance with the Shiv Sena (undivided). Uddhav Thackeray parted ways as the dispute over the chief minister’s post intensified between the BJP and the Shiv Sena after the results were announced. Meanwhile, the BJP finalized an agreement with Ajit Pawar and held an oath-taking ceremony on the morning of November 23, 2019. Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Chief Minister and Ajit as Deputy Chief Minister. The government could only stay in power for 80 hours before Ajit Pawar changed sides and became part of Maha Vikas Aghadi.
The MVA formed the government under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray and Ajit was appointed as deputy prime minister. In June 2022, Eknath Shinde and other MLAs rebelled against the Shiv Sena and joined the BJP. The MVA coalition government came to power and Shinde became the new chief minister with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party. A year later, in June 2023, the NCP split and Ajit became part of the NDA government. Currently, Maharashtra has two Shiv Sena and two NCP. One Shiv Sena and one NCP belong to the BJP alliance.
The other is Shiv Sena and the other NCP is part of the Congress alliance. Now, after the assembly election dates have been announced, there are reports that many leaders of the Uddhav Shiv Sena party are in touch with the BJP. It is believed that these leaders may leave Uddhav’s party and join the BJP. These leaders of the Uddhav Sena say they are ideologically closer to the BJP. The BJP’s camp in the state has strengthened, while the Shiv Sena’s traditional vote bank is now divided. Moreover, the political power of the Maharashtra Nationalist Party (MNS) has eroded over the years, but Raj Thackeray still wields some influence over Maratha voters.
6. How has Jharkhand changed in five years?
In the 2019 assembly elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress alliance defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party and formed the government. Hemant Soren became the chief minister. The JMM has a strong base among tribal voters and the government is trying to appeal to this large segment of the electorate through its policies. The BJP is now in opposition. The BJP has tried to strengthen its organization in the state in recent years but is still struggling to regain power.
In Jharkhand, the opposition parties tried to overthrow the Hemant Soren government, but the government was saved. Meanwhile, the impact of opposition unity is also visible in the upcoming elections in Jharkhand. Especially if the PPP forms a grand alliance. Meanwhile, Hemant Soren and his family have been accused of illegal mining and land scams, tarnishing their political image. Although Sauron’s government is now stable, these issues may cause them trouble in the future.
Also read: How important is it for the NDA to play the Muslim card in Maharashtra elections – and to what extent is this a coercion? , point of view
7. Who is in Maharashtra and what is the situation?
The Maharashtra elections are important not just for Mahayutti but also for Mahavika Aghadi’s reputation. The credibility of the alliance suffered when the MVA government led by Uddhav collapsed in 2023. The MVA alleged that the BJP created a rift within the Shiv Sena, resulting in Uddhav having to resign. The opposition coalition hopes to use the election to avenge its defeat and the collapse of the government, which it calls a betrayal.
8. Will the Mahayutth government formulate a “Female Sisterhood Plan”?
Mahayut did not achieve the expected success in the Lok Sabha elections. The Indian block got a huge vote share and a record number of seats. Since then, Mahayut’s government has changed tack and has made a number of major announcements over the past few days. Be it the Girls Sisters Program or the program that gives stipends to teenagers. Money will enter people’s bank accounts through multiple mediums. Therefore, the challenges before Mahavikas Aghadi also increased. It remains to be seen whether people will vote based on five years of political earthquakes, ideology, unemployment, corruption, drought and political ethics or accept reservation, caste equality and new alliances.
9. What are the political parties in Maharashtra?
Major League: BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar’s NCP and regional allies.
MVA: Among them are the Congress, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and the CPM.
What are the political parties in Jharkhand?
Indian Block: These include Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Left parties.
Confidentiality Agreement: BJP, AJSU, JDU are included.
10. Who are the main leaders of Maharashtra?
Former chief minister and current deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is the main face of the BJP in Maharashtra. His administrative profile and efforts to garner support for the Maratha community were important. The presence of a large faction of the Shiv Sena and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by current chief minister Eknath Shinde, is an important factor in the electoral equation. How well the public accepts his leadership will be seen in the election results. Ajit Pawar joining the NDA will become a major issue in the Maharashtra elections.
He is the deputy chief minister and will try to appeal to the Maratha vote bank. NCP founder Sharad Pawar remains the most experienced and influential leader in Maharashtra politics. The fragmentation of his party and his tactics could have a significant impact on the election outcome. The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena has now been integrated into the Maha Vikas Aghadi. His image and the lack or intensity of his support in the Maratha vote bank will affect the electoral performance of the Maratha Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. State president Nana Patole is at loggerheads with the Congress.
Who are the big leaders of Jharkhand?
In Jharkhand, current Chief Minister Hemant Soren is the main spokesperson of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. His pro-tribal policies and legal matters related to land disputes could become a big issue in the election. Raghuvar Das, former chief minister of Jharkhand, is currently the governor of Odisha. He is one of the most prominent leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Jharkhand. Apart from this, Babulal Marandi, the first chief minister of Jharkhand, was a big shot in the BJP and also the state president. He enjoys huge support among the tribal community and his influential personality is very important for the BJP.
Also read: BJP to play ‘elder brother’ role in Maharashtra, know who has how many seats in grand alliance?
Similarly, Sudesh Mahato, a prominent leader of the All Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU), has a good support base in some parts of the state. His party is contesting in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party and given the alliance’s status, he could play an important role in the elections. Arup Chatterjee is associated with the CPI(ML) and is a strong voice of left politics in the state. His influence was mainly among the laboring and poor classes of Jharkhand. While left-wing parties are not mainstream here, there are areas where they can play a role.
Shibu Soren is a well-known figure in the tribal and political circles of Jharkhand. He is a veteran leader of the Jharkhand movement and still has a large fan base in the state. His presence strengthened the JMM’s electoral strategy. Amit Mahato, a young leader who is close to Sudesh Mahato, is an emerging leader in Jharkhand politics. His regional support and his role in the AJSU gave him an important electoral role. Rameshwar Oraon is a tribal leader of the Congress party and currently serves as the party’s state president. He can strengthen the Congress’ base among tribal societies. Champai Soren is an important representative of the political party in Kolhan district. His influence could play an important role in the BJP’s electoral strategy.
BJP plays elder brother role in Maharashtra and Jharkhand
In Maharashtra and Jharkhand too, the BJP could announce its first list of candidates within a day or two. The Central Election Commission meeting will be held in Delhi on Wednesday. Here, the final seal of approval is stamped on the name of the candidate. In both the states, the BJP will play the role of the elder brother. In Maharashtra, the BJP is preparing to field candidates in 150-160 seats. While in Jharkhand, brainstorming is underway to finalize candidates for 67 to 70 seats.
