Jharkhand Elections 2024: Is Kalpana Soren's Rising Influence and Public Support a Cause of Alarm for the BJP?

Ranchi- The recent rallies led by JMM leader Kalpana Soren have sent ripples through the BJP ranks, with her ability to draw massive crowds—especially among women voters—raising concerns for the saffron party. Her growing influence, bolstered by the overwhelming public response to the Maiyan Samman Yatra, has prompted the BJP to intensify its opposition. At a rally in Gumla, Kalpana Soren did not hold back, branding the BJP as the "PIL master gang" for consistently obstructing key government schemes aimed at empowering the people of Jharkhand.

Addressing the rally , Soren took a direct jab at the BJP, branding them as a "PIL master gang" for allegedly obstructing various government initiatives, including the Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana (JMMSY), which provides financial support to women. “They filed a PIL against the Maiyan Samman Yojana. Whenever a scheme for the people is introduced, they do the same. The BJP has become a party that puts hurdles in every initiative led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren to benefit the people of Jharkhand,” she said.

Kalpana Soren’s rallies, as part of the Yatra, are resonating strongly with women, a key demographic ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. The Yatra highlights the government’s efforts to empower women by providing ₹1,000 per month to women aged 21 to 50. Her speeches have focused on tribal identity and cultural preservation, including demands for a separate Sarna religious code and the inclusion of tribal languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, further solidifying her connection with the tribal population.

BJP's Gogo Didi Scheme under scrutiny

Meanwhile, BJP’s attempts to counter the JMM’s influence through its proposed ‘Gogo Didi’ scheme have come under scrutiny. The Hemant Soren government has accused the BJP of violating Election Commission of India (ECI) norms by getting forms filled for the scheme ahead of the elections. The BJP has promised to provide ₹2,100 per month to women under this scheme if elected to power.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren has instructed district officials to take action against those violating ECI rules, following allegations that the BJP was enrolling women for the scheme in violation of election norms.

In an X post, Soren stated, "All Deputy Commissioners should take cognizance and ensure that all the rules of ECI are strictly followed. No one in Jharkhand has the freedom to break the rules. All Deputy Commissioners should take strict action against the culprits and inform after filing a case under relevant sections."

In response, BJP leaders, including Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi, criticized Soren for attempting to disrupt their welfare programs and for lacking constitutional knowledge.

The growing popularity of Kalpana Soren and the success of the Maiyan Samman Yatra have clearly unsettled the BJP, as the party scrambles to regain ground with its counter-policies. With the elections fast approaching, the contest between JMM’s efforts to empower women and the BJP’s counter-campaign is expected to intensify further.