Jharkhand Assembly Election 2024: INDIA Bloc vs. NDA and What’s at Stake

The Jharkhand assembly election is drawing near, and the political arena is heating up. This year’s election is shaping up as a head-to-head battle between two major alliances: the INDIA bloc, led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These alliances are currently busy with seat-sharing discussions, a tricky aspect of coalition politics where each party negotiates the constituencies they will contest. While online voting could significantly increase voter turnout, especially in remote areas, this option is still not provided by the government for voters’ convenience.

The Two Alliances and Their Background of 2019 and Lok Sabha Election 2024

In the 2019 Jharkhand assembly election, voter turnout was around 65% where JMM, Congress, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) teamed up under the banner of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Together, they won 47 out of the 81 seats in the assembly, enough to secure a majority and take power from the BJP-led NDA government headed by Raghubar Das. This alliance brought together regional and national players to offer a unified front against the NDA, which struggled to retain its hold on the state.

The BJP, on the other hand, had parted ways with its former ally, the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), before the 2019 state election. However, they joined forces again before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP-led NDA won nine seats out of 14, with the BJP itself securing eight. For the upcoming state elections, the NDA is expanding further by including the Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), aiming to strengthen its reach among various voter groups.

Main Issues in Jharkhand: Development, Employment, and Poverty

Jharkhand has long struggled with issues like low per capita income, high poverty rates, and slow growth in agriculture and industry. The state, rich in natural resources, still faces economic challenges. The poverty rate is high, and many families struggle to make ends meet. Moreover, the agricultural sector, on which many Jharkhand residents depend, has not grown enough to improve the livelihoods of farmers. Industrial growth also remains sluggish, which affects job creation and overall economic progress.

During elections, political parties often introduce schemes to address these issues and attract voters. Both alliances promise new welfare initiatives, such as monthly financial assistance for women, employment programs, and other support measures for vulnerable groups. However, these promises often raise questions about their long-term impact and sustainability beyond the election period.

The Power of the People

With the alliances set and promises made, it’s now up to the people of Jharkhand to decide who they believe can best lead them forward. The upcoming election will not only decide the state’s leadership but also shape how Jharkhand tackles its economic and social challenges in the coming years. Every vote counts, and the choice made by each citizen will play a part in Jharkhand’s future.

In the 2019 Jharkhand assembly election, voter turnout was around 65%. This figure shows that many people in the state came forward to make their voices heard. However, with the option of online voting, voter turnout could significantly increase, potentially reaching up to 90%. Online voting would make it easier for more people, especially those in remote areas or with busy schedules, to participate in the election.

In Jharkhand, many people find it hard to reach polling booths because roads and infrastructure are not well developed. But Right2Vote, an online voting service that is certified and tested by the Government of India, offers a way to make voting easier. Right2Vote runs over 3,000 elections every day using their online system. This can help increase the number of people voting in elections, making it easier for everyone to have a say in choosing their leaders.

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