Ranchi: Political equations are changing briskly in the poll bound state of Jharkhand. In the latest development, another senior tribal leader of the state has switched sides. Lobin Hembrom, the expelled leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has joined the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in state capital Ranchi on Saturday, August 31.
The former JMM leader who had rebelled and contested the Lok Sabha polls against JMM’s candidate Vijay Hansda from Rajmahal Lok Sabha constituency, crosses over to the Babu Lal Marandi led BJP’s camp citing discrepancies in JMM’s working style.
“The JMM has changed from what was it in Guruji’s (JMM supremo Shibu Soren) time. Now, there is no respect for senior leaders in the JMM. So, I decided to join the BJP for development of Jharkhand and uplift of tribals,” quoted the former Borio legislator who is facing proceedings under the anti-defection law.
आज प्रदेश कार्यालय में प्रदेश अध्यक्ष श्री @yourBabulal जी एवं असम के मुख्यमंत्री व चुनाव सह प्रभारी श्री @himantabiswa जी की उपस्थिति में झामुमो के वरिष्ठ नेता व पूर्व विधायक श्री लोबिन हेम्ब्रम जी ने भाजपा की सदस्यता ग्रहण की।
इस दौरान नेता प्रतिपक्ष श्री @amarbauri जी, द्वय… pic.twitter.com/nSWyfUUs34
— BJP JHARKHAND (@BJP4Jharkhand) August 31, 2024
Hembrom, enjoys a good rapport in the tribal groups in Santhal which is expected to further boost the BJP chances in the tribal belt emboldened already with the joining of former Chief Minister and erstwhile senior leader of JMM, Champai Soren.
Soren joined BJP in presence of senior leaders of the party’s state unit accompanied by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma both in-charge for party in the upcoming state election at an event in Ranchi on Friday, August 30.
“I will work for the development of Jharkhand and we will stop infiltration from Bangladesh. Tribal villages are vanishing due to Bangladeshi infiltration. Tribal existence is endangering in Jharkhand. To save tribals, we have to remain with BJP,” remarked Soren after joining the BJP.
“Only the BJP can raise this issue. So I joined the BJP. I have faith in the PM of the country and Amit Shah. I am now with the largest party in the world. Earlier I was in a regional party. Jai Shree Ram,” he added.
Reacting to the former JMM leaders switching sides to BJP, state unit president of the BJP, Babu Lal Marandi remarked that these are the leaders who built the JMM, but they are despised there.
पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री श्री @ChampaiSoren जी, पूर्व विधायक श्री लोबिन हेम्ब्रम जी एवं श्रीमती @SitaSorenMLA जी ने मेहनत और परिश्रम से झारखंड मुक्ति मोर्चा को खड़ा किया, लेकिन उन्हें झामुमो में उन्हें तिरस्कृत किया गया।@BJP4India @narendramodi @JPNadda @AmitShah @blsanthosh… pic.twitter.com/QdNA0DDnwe
— Babulal Marandi (@yourBabulal) August 31, 2024
Notably, other than Champai Soren and Hembrom, another senior tribal leader and former Chief Minister of the state, Madhu Koda joined the BJP camp on Saturday itself. Koda’s wife Geeta Koda had already switched sides earlier this year by joining BJP after quitting Congress months before the Lok Sabha Polls. She was however defeated by the JMM candidate in the election.
Tussle for tribal votes in Santhal and Kolhan region
It must be noted that the state of Jharkhand has a significant population of tribal community forming around 26% of the state’s total population count. This makes the community’s allegiance crucial for securing electoral victory in the 81 seats assembly polls which has around over 30% of its seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribes candidates.
Notably both BJP and the ruling JMM are the prime political contenders in the state, claiming stakes in the community’s vote share in the crucial state assembly polls scheduled to be held in later part of the year to which the Election Commission of India is yet to announce the dates.
Read more at: How Champai Soren’s exit could impact JMM on tribal reserved seats in assembly polls……
The BJP who is eying a return to the power however got a major edge with joining of Champai Soren. The induction of Champai is expected to provide a significant boost to party’s efforts in outreaching the tribal community. Significantly the party has already commenced a major campaign against the alleged infiltration of Bangladeshi national terming it a grave threat for the tribal community and its unique culture.
On the other hand, the JMM has reacted quickly by appointing Ramdas Soren, another leader from the tribal community hailing from Kolhan as minister of the portfolios held by Champai, a move seen by many to minimise the impact of Champai’s exit from the party in Kolhan and adjacent constituencies. The party is expected to approach the election banking on welfare schemes and issues such as Sarna code with Hemant Soren as CM face, hoping a consolidation of tribal votes in its favor.
