On Monday, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s government of encouraging Bangladeshi infiltration for political gain, warning that the state’s tribal communities could face extinction if urgent action isn’t taken. “There is Bangladeshi intrusion everywhere, and the Hemant Soren government is promoting it out of vote bank politics. If we don’t wake up now, tribals would cease to exist,” Dubey told
Echoing Dubey’s concerns, BJP’s Jharkhand co-in-charge and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized Soren’s party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), for allegedly supporting “infiltrators.” Sarma called for the de-registration of parties that endorse infiltration, saying, “Whichever political party supports infiltrators and opposes those fighting infiltration, their registration should be cancelled.”
In a recent development, Mandal Murmu, a key supporter for Soren’s nomination in the Barhait Assembly constituency, joined the BJP. After his induction, Murmu pledged to address demographic changes in Santhal Pargana, honoring his ancestors’ legacy, saying, “We will take the initiative regarding the demography in Santhal Pargana.”
As the Jharkhand Assembly elections approach, to be held in two phases on November 13 and 20 with results on November 23, voter dynamics are in focus. The state has 2.6 crore eligible voters, including over 66.84 lakh young voters. In the previous 2020 elections, JMM secured 30 seats, BJP won 25, and Congress took 16 seats. In 2014, BJP had a stronger showing with 37 seats, while JMM and Congress won 19 and 6 seats, respectively.