BJP does not want to leave any stone unturned to return to power in Jharkhand. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has made a big move to help the tribal community by releasing the BJP Sankalp Patra on the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda on Sunday. Amit Shah has set the agenda for the assembly elections by promising exemption to tribals from the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), complete ban on infiltration in Jharkhand, ban on illegal mining and welfare schemes. Now PM Modi will be seen entering the battlefield of Jharkhand from Monday and trying to create a political atmosphere.
BJP has entered the electoral fray in Jharkhand with the pledge of ‘Maati, Roti and Beti’, but its prime focus is to help the tribal community. That is why many promises have been made regarding the tribals, whether it is about keeping them out of UCC or about stopping illegal mining. Apart from this, BJP has promised to provide free dialysis facility to kidney patients, jobs to Agniveer jawans and jobs to 2.87 lakh youth. In this way, while releasing BJP’s manifesto for Jharkhand, Amit Shah talked about local issues and also influenced national politics, but the strategy remained to reach out to tribal votes.
Promise of exemption to tribals from UCC
In the Jharkhand Assembly elections, Amit Shah announced that if BJP comes to power, it will implement the Uniform Civil Code, but the tribal community will be kept out of the UCC. Amit Shah said that by implementing BJP PESA Act in tribal areas, the traditional social system of the tribal community will be recognized. The Central Government had implemented the PESA Act 1996. The PESA rules are important for tribal self-governance, with powers given to enforce customary laws and social and religious practices at the gram sabhas and panchayats level.
Recommendation to quash cases
The Union Home Minister also said that BJP will recommend cancellation of cases registered by the Forest Department against tribals and Dalits. If coming to power in Jharkhand, BJP will discuss the issue of ‘Sarna Dharma Code’ and take appropriate decision. A commission will be formed for the rehabilitation of people displaced due to industries and mines in Jharkhand.
BJP made a big move on the pretext of infiltration
BJP is setting the narrative of illegal infiltration in the tribal belt of Jharkhand. While issuing the resolution letter, Amit Shah said that BJP will take concrete steps to protect the rights of the tribal community by completely stopping the infiltration of illegal Bangladeshis in Jharkhand. BJP has also promised to enact a strict law to ‘take back the lands of the tribal community from infiltrators’. Amit Shah said that BJP will ensure that the children of infiltrators who marry women from the tribal community are not given tribal status. He said that this will benefit the future generations of the tribal communities and the tribal communities will be able to protect their interests.
Attempt to tap JMM’s vote bank
In the Jharkhand Assembly elections, BJP is trying to create a political narrative of tribals versus infiltrators so that it can strengthen itself among the tribal communities. Especially in the Santhal Pargana division area of Jharkhand. BJP hopes that this political move will benefit in Santhal division, which has 18 seats. BJP has been alleging land grabbing by Bangladeshi infiltrators in this entire belt. In this way, a strategy is being considered to attract about 30 percent tribal community in Jharkhand, which is considered the vote bank of JMM. In 2019, 14 out of 18 seats in Santhal Pargana were won by JMM and 4 seats were won by BJP.
Promise to stop illegal mining
In the manifesto, BJP has promised to audit the District Mineral Foundation Fund every six months to bring transparency in mining activities. Shah said that BJP will curb illegal mining in Jharkhand, especially illegal sand mining. Will give Gram Panchayats the right to extract sand from the ghats. This becomes important after local people and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) raised red flags about this practice in the past. In this way, there is a plan to crack down on illegal mining mafias. It is believed that there is a plan to win the trust of the tribal community by banning illegal mining, because the demand of banning illegal mining has been raised by the tribal community for a long time.
Strategy to win the hearts of youth
A big issue in Jharkhand is employment and stopping migration. BJP has made a big bet regarding employment in its manifesto. Amit Shah has promised fair and transparent recruitment for 287500 government posts. Also said that if BJP comes to power, it will start the recruitment process from its first cabinet meeting itself. Along with this, unemployment allowance has also been promised. In Jharkhand, BJP will give ‘Yuva Sathi Allowance’ of Rs 2000 per month for a period of two years to every graduate and post-graduate youth who are struggling for a job.
Five lakh self-employed in five years
BJP has said that the recruitment process for 1.5 lakh posts in Jharkhand will be completed by November 2025 and said that the party will create five lakh self-employment opportunities for the youth of Jharkhand in five years. In this way, BJP has promised to provide employment to win the hearts of the youth. He has also promised to provide unemployment allowance until he does not get a government job. In this way, it is being considered as a big bet to nurture the youth of Jharkhand.
Strategy to attract women voters
BJP has made a big move in Jharkhand to win over the youth as well as women votes. BJP has announced to give pension of Rs 2100 every month to women in Jharkhand. Apart from this, the party said that it will also start Lakshmi Johar Yojana, under which it will provide LPG gas cylinders to all the households for Rs 500, apart from this, two free cylinders will also be given annually on Diwali and Rakshabandhan. The BJP has also promised a monthly pension of Rs 25,000 in the manifesto to ensure ‘financial and social security’ for the elderly, widows and disabled persons. Understanding the political power of women votes in Jharkhand, BJP has made efforts to woo them.
Prime Focus Tribal Community
BJP’s prime focus in Jharkhand is to garner the votes of the tribal community, but it has also tried to win the trust of its core vote bank, women and youth. BJP is understanding that if it wants to return to power then it is not possible without the tribal community. That is why BJP has kept all the big leaders associated with the tribal community with itself, because the competition is with Hemant Soren of JMM. That is why BJP has not declared anyone as the CM face in Jharkhand this time. Amit Shah himself has handed over the election command to his close leaders and is busy setting the narrative of infiltrators versus tribals.
