Power Shift in Jharkhand? Backchannel Talks Between Soren and BJP Spark Political Buzz

Ranchi: The politics of Jharkhand are again seen in turmoil these days. It is being speculated from the news going on in the local media that the Hemant Soren government may move towards some new political change. There is also talk that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which is a major part of the India alliance, is now growing closer to the BJP-led NDA.

These speculations gained further momentum when news came that Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife, Kalpana Soren, met a senior BJP leader in Delhi. Immediately after this, Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, due to which the atmosphere of political speculation became more heated.

Will JMM's joining NDA be a big blow to the India alliance?

If this change happens, it will be another big loss for the already weakened India alliance. The alliance is going through a difficult phase after the defeat in the Bihar assembly elections last month. The special thing is that JMM did not play any role in the Bihar elections and maintained distance.

According to reports, at least 8 out of 16 Congress MLAs may also support NDA. Although BJP will not directly join the government, it can provide support from outside. If there is a split in the Congress, it will be necessary for at least 11 MLAs to leave the party together to avoid the anti-defection law. The final decision will be taken by Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahato (JMM).

Which direction are the figures pointing in the Assembly?

There are 81 seats in the Jharkhand Assembly, and 41 seats are required for a majority. The current government has a coalition of 56, which includes 34 MLAs from JMM, 16 from Congress, 4 from RJD, and 2 from CPI-ML(L). If JMM joins NDA, then with JMM's 34 and BJP's 21, along with LJP, AJSU, JDU, and one independent, this number can reach 58, which will comfortably cross the majority.

Why can Hemant Soren come closer to NDA?

It is being said that Soren expects better cooperation from the central government on development issues. The second reason is coming to light regarding the cases being investigated against him by the ED. He had also gone to jail during his previous tenure, so legal pressure is also considered a big factor.

Some reports have also claimed that there may be preparations to give Bharat Ratna to JMM founder and Hemant's father, Shibu Soren, next year. After his death in August, this decision can also have a big impact politically.

Was the Delhi meeting just formal or the beginning of a bigger agreement?

Media reports are claiming that a preliminary agreement has been reached between JMM and BJP and the meeting in Delhi was not just a formality. A report described it as “the most unexpected turn of recent politics,” especially after the bitter fight between the two parties in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

On November 28, on the completion of one year of his government's second term, Soren distributed appointment letters to 9,000 youth at Morhabadi Ground in Ranchi and said that 16,000 government appointments have been given in the last year.