After five months of incarceration, Jharkhand’s former Chief Minister Hemant Soren finally walked out of jail on June 28. He was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court in an alleged land scam case. Soon after his release, he hit out at the BJP and said that the people of the country had taught them a lesson in the general elections as the party fell short of the majority mark of its own.
Hemant Soren had been vehemently attacking the BJP. Recalling the Santhal rebellion of 1855 against British rule, he said, “On the same lines of rebellion against the British, I declare ‘Hool Vidroh’ to drive out feudal forces not only from Jharkhand but the entire country. This is a day of inspiration for everyone.” In another statement, he also claimed that the BJP has expertise in destroying the social fabric of India while adding the saffron party will be wiped out from the state in the upcoming Assembly elections.
His fierce and tall claims come ahead of the assembly elections slated for this year. Hemant Soren's statement makes it clear that JMM is eyeing not only to retain power but to dominate the assembly elections.
JMM successfully navigated political upheaval
After his arrest in January, his party JMM was surrounded by apprehensions for its future as Hemant has been the sole face of the party after Sibu Soren. The immediate concern was the office of the Chief Minister.
However, JMM managed to navigate the situation through Kalpana Soren’s active involvement in politics and Champai Soren assuming the office of the chief minister.
BJP failed to clinch ST reserved seat in Lok Sabha
Hemant’s first statement after release finds mention of Lok Sabha elections. Lok Sabha elections happened during his incarceration. The BJP-led NDA managed to gain a majority but the BJP lost absolute majority on its own which was the case for the last 10 years. The opposition was united in the struggle against the BJP under I.N.D.I.A bloc. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the BJP clinched 9 Lok Sabha seats while the ruling JMM-led I.N.D.I.A bloc won only 5 seats. However, the BJP failed to win any Scheduled Tribe reserved constituency.
In Jharkhand, there were 5 ST reserved seats namely, Dumka, Singhbhum, Lohadaga, Khunti, and Rajmahal, BJP lost all these seats to JMM and Congress. Since, Jharkhand is a tribal population-dominated state, the Adivasis and SCs, STs and their issues play a vital role in state politics.
JMM portrays BJP as anti-Dalit
Therefore, Hemant Soren and other party leaders are trying to capitalise it by portraying the BJP as anti-Dalit. On June 30, Jharkhand CM Champai Soren said that Hemant Soren, who often speaks on behalf of the poor, Dalits, and Adivasis, was jailed due to opposition from those who have exploited Jharkhand for years. He went on and said, "People who speak about Dalits or Adivasis here will never be allowed to live in peace by those people (BJP)." Hemant Soren's statement of declaring ‘Hool Vidroh’ to drive out feudal forces also falls in line with the JM approach.
Hemant’s release has significantly boosted the morale of JMM. Besides, the release has provided ample time for top leadership to plan and manage the election campaign. Besides, the performance of I.N.D.I.A bloc in the Lok Sabha election has made it evident to Hemant Soren that JMM can sweep assembly elections by fighting alongside the Congress party.
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