The clarion call for the Jharkhand assembly elections has sounded, and the political atmosphere is getting increasingly heated. Voting will be held in two phases in the state on November 13 and 20 and the results will be announced on November 23. In this electoral battle, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) are expected to fight a close contest. But apart from these two major parties, a third force is also emerging rapidly – Jharkhand Loktan Trikranti Karimo led by youth leader Jairam Mahato Check (JLKM).
The rise of Jerome Mahato: The new political equation
The caste equation has always been important in Jharkhand politics. The state has more than 15% Kurmi voters and is considered the largest and most influential caste after tribal communities. Jairam Mahato himself hails from the Kurmi community and has his sights set on this vote bank. By growing his support base, Jairam Mahato has now become a major figure in Jharkhand politics.
Although he failed to win the 2024 election from Giridih Lok Sabha seat, he showed his political prominence by getting 300,000 47,000 322 votes. This lead of Jairam Mahato can now be seen in the state assembly elections as well, especially in Kurmi-dominated areas.
JLKM’s performance in 2024 Lok Sabha elections
JLKM has fielded its candidates in eight seats in the Jharkhand Lok Sabha elections. These include major seats like Giridih, Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Kodma and Dhanbad. Although the party failed to win any seats, its performance was impressive.
For example, Devendra Nath Mahato from Ranchi got 1,32,647 votes while Sanjay Kumar Mehta from Hazaribagh got 1,57,977 votes. Overall, JLKM secured 8,03,069 votes in these 8 seats, which shows that the party has found a place among the people.
How JLKM candidates will fare in Lok Sabha 2024
NDA and Indian Union sound alarm bells
Jairam Mahato’s meteoric rise is becoming a challenge for the NDA and the Indian Union. The Giridih seat went to the AJSU party under the NDA while the JMM went to the Indian Alliance and the huge support given to Jairam Mahato there has increased the focus of both alliances. This time, the JLKM will field candidates in 71 parliamentary seats, out of which Jairam Mahato himself can contest two seats, with Dumri being the primary seat.
Jairam Mahato’s influence is particularly evident in the Kurmi-dominated seat. His support base in districts like Giridih, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Ranchi and Kodma is getting stronger. JLKM’s strong presence may create problems for established political parties like the BJP and JMM.
Kurmi vote bank: center of electoral equation
The Kurmi vote holds its own importance in Jharkhand politics. About 15% of the state’s voters come from the Kurmi community, which plays a decisive role in 32-35 assembly seats. Kurmi voters form a majority in seats like Sili, Ramgarh, Mandu, Gomia, Dumri and Ichagarh and the influence of Jairam Mahato’s party here can change the outcome in these seats.
It is also worth noting that AJSU party president Sudesh Mahato is also from Kurmi community but now Jairam Mahato is ready to weaken their vote bank . Both Jairam Mahato and Sudesh Mahato had a background in student politics, but Jairam Mahato’s strength made him more important to AJSU and the people of India The party poses a huge challenge.
If the JLKM can make inroads on the Kurmi ticket, the outcome of the Jharkhand Assembly elections could be quite shocking.
JLKM’s strength: capturing local issues
Jerome Mahato’s greatest political strength lies in his command of local issues and direct contact with the public. They claimed that only these people would be called Jharkhandi and as per the Khatian of 1932, they would be considered the original inhabitants of this place. He has been campaigning on the issue and has received strong support from local people, especially young people.
He has been raising his voice on issues such as the use of local languages ​​in Jharkhand competitive examinations and employment of local youth. As a result of this stance, his popularity among young people increased and JLKM’s support base was strengthened.
Who is Jerram Mahato?
Jairam Mahato was born on December 27, 1994 in Mantand village of Dhanbad district. He studied at Koyaranchal University and has been working on language, regionalism and employment issues for the past four years.
He formed a political party called Jharkhandi Bhasha Khatian Sangharsh Samiti (JBKSS) in 2023, now known as Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM). Jairam Mahato is a fast-rising leader in Jharkhand politics and his party could play a major role in the assembly elections.
Jairam Mahato’s impact on the electoral equation
Jairam Mahato-led party JLKM will play an important role in the Jharkhand Assembly elections. His party’s influence in the Kurmi-dominated seat could pose problems for the NDA and the Indian Union. Especially if the Kurmi vote bank is breached, politics in the state will change dramatically. The rise of Jairam Mahato will change the political landscape of Jharkhand and it will be interesting to see now how it affects the assembly elections.
