BJP shows trust on women in key Jharkhand Assembly seats

Suniti Singh

In a major political announcement ahead of the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday revealed a list of 66 candidates set to contest the 81-seat assembly. A significant highlight of this list is the party’s strategic decision to field 16 women candidates, signaling a push for greater female representation in some of the state’s most high-profile and hotly contested constituencies.

Among the prominent women candidates is Sita Soren, the sister-in-law of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who will contest from the Jamtara constituency. In an intriguing face-off, Muniya Devi has been fielded against the CM’s wife, Kalpana Soren, in Gandey. These contests are expected to become some of the most watched in the upcoming elections.

The BJP’s lineup also includes several established and notable figures. Dr. Neera Yadav, a former state education minister, will run from Koderma, while Dr. Manju Devi has been nominated for the Jamua seat. Tara Devi will contest from Sindri, Aparna Sengupta from Nirsa, and Ragini Singh from Jharia, adding to the strength of the BJP’s female representation in key regions.

In Jamshedpur East, the BJP has placed its bet on Purnima Das Sahu, the daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das, a political novice who secured the ticket in a highly competitive internal race. Additionally, former Union Minister Arjun Munda’s wife, Meera Munda, will contest from a yet-to-be-confirmed constituency, adding to the prestige and political muscle in the BJP’s women’s slate.

The list further includes Geeta Balmuchu from Chaibasa, Geta Koda from Jagannathpur, and Pushpa Devi Bhuiyan from Chhatarpur. These candidates, many from tribal-dominated regions, are expected to play crucial roles in the BJP’s strategy to strengthen its presence across Jharkhand, a state where tribal and rural votes carry immense significance.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP’s election co-incharge for Jharkhand, expressed confidence in the party’s selections, stating that the mix of experienced leaders and fresh faces—particularly women—would provide the BJP with the necessary strength to wrest control of the state from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led coalition.

With 16 women out of 66 candidates, the BJP’s list showcases its commitment to increasing women’s participation in politics while targeting influential constituencies across the state. The battle lines are drawn, and as the BJP gears up for the November polls, the political landscape of Jharkhand is poised for an intense and closely watched contest.