Ranchi — In a significant development ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, Assam Chief Minister and BJP co-in-charge for Jharkhand, Himanta Biswa Sarma, praised the recent induction of Mandal Murmu, a key supporter of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Sarma underscored the symbolic weight of Murmu’s support, calling it an affirmation of BJP’s commitment to the tribal legacy embodied by Sidhu Kanhu and Phulo Jhano.
“Mandal Murmu didn’t join us for campaigning or votes; his presence is meaningful because it brings the blessings of Sidhu-Kanhu and Phulo Jhano,” said Sarma in a statement to ANI. These historic figures, revered leaders of the Santhal rebellion, were pivotal in resisting British rule and defending the rights of India’s tribal communities. Sarma highlighted that Murmu’s alignment with the BJP reinforces the party’s resonance with the tribal ethos of Jharkhand.
Murmu, a proposer for Hemant Soren in the Barhait Assembly constituency, confirmed his commitment to preserving and promoting the interests of Santhal communities. “Coming from the family of Sidhu-Kanhu and Phulo Jhano, who sacrificed everything for the nation, I see this as a way to carry forward their legacy. We’ll work towards important demographic matters in the Santhal Pargana region,” he stated.
The joining ceremony, held in the presence of Union Minister and BJP’s Jharkhand election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with Assam CM Sarma, is expected to bolster BJP’s engagement with tribal voters in the state. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey noted that Murmu has also pledged to address the pressing issue of illegal Bangladeshi infiltration in the region.
With the Jharkhand Assembly elections scheduled in two phases on November 13 and 20 and counting set for November 23, political stakes are high. This election will see 2.6 crore eligible voters, including over 11.84 lakh first-time voters and 66.84 lakh young voters, a crucial segment that parties hope to sway.
As the BJP ramps up its campaign efforts, Sarma’s remarks signal the party’s strategic focus on historical and cultural alignment with Jharkhand’s tribal roots, drawing on a narrative of legacy and continuity.
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