North India Statesman
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News India Live, Digital Desk: Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s spirits are high after his landslide victory in the Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024. Now JMM does not want to be limited to Jharkhand only. Hemant Soren has made it clear in the ‘Tribal Mahasabha’ organized in Tinsukia, Assam that he is considering fielding his candidates in the elections of Assam and West Bengal. This is being seen as a ‘political surgical strike’ directly against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Hemant’s bet on ‘Tea Tribes’ of Assam
in Assam approximately 70 lakhs The population consists of tribals associated with ‘tea gardens’. Most of them are originally from Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, having been moved there during the British rule.
Demand for ST status: Hemant Soren has alleged that the Assam government is not giving ‘Scheduled Tribe’ (ST) status to these tribals, whereas their community in Jharkhand has this right.
Vote bank mathematics: These tea garden workers play a decisive role in about 35-40 assembly seats of Assam. JMM wants to make inroads by uniting these people of ‘Jharkhandi origin’.
West Bengal: Keep an eye on Jangalmahal and Santal belt
There is a large population of Santal tribals in the districts of West Bengal adjacent to Jharkhand (Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram and West Medinipur).
Shibu Soren’s influence: ‘Dishom Guru’ Shibu Soren is still highly respected in these areas.
strategy: JMM can form an alliance with Trinamool Congress (TMC) here or try its strength by contesting independently on some selected seats. In the 2021 elections also, Hemant Soren held rallies in Jhargram.
Himanta Biswa Sarma vs Hemant Soren: ‘Tit for tat’
During Jharkhand elections, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had camped in Jharkhand for months as election in-charge of BJP. Now Hemant Soren is replying in the same manner:
Big decision of cabinet: The new government of Jharkhand, in its first cabinet itself, appointed a committee to study the condition of the tea garden workers of Assam. all party committee Have decided to make.
direct challenge: Soren described the Assam government as a “government of businessmen” and said that they are only collecting resources by suppressing the rights of tribals.
[Image showing the map of Assam and Bengal highlighting tribal dominated areas where JMM plans to contest]Will JMM be able to become ‘kingmaker’?
Political analysts believe that the arrival of JMM may lead to division of tribal votes.
In Assam: If JMM succeeds in securing the votes of the tea tribes, it will be a major dent in the BJP’s traditional vote bank.
In Bengal: In Bengal, BJP had performed well in tribal areas in 2019 and 2021, to stop this, Mamata Banerjee may also like the support of JMM.