Jostling for Tribal Trust

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intensified focus on Jharkhand, particularly its tribal population, has put adrenaline into the state's electoral landscape.

- Amitabh Srivastava

Returning to the state on October 2, just a fortnight after his September 15 show in Jamshedpur, Modi unveiled key initiatives and prophesied the "beginning of change" at a rally in Hazaribagh. The term of the current assembly is set to expire on January 5, and the election has to be completed before then.

Modi opened his 41-minute address with Jai Johar', the traditional greeting used by the Santhal community and other Adivasi groups. He emphasised Jharkhand's role in safeguarding the legacy of tribal hero Birsa Munda, weaving local pride into his broader narrative of change and progress. The PM then took aim at his political rivals, accusing the Congress of promoting a single family while erasing the "identity of many tribal families" across India. He highlighted the BJP's Parivartan Yatra, declaring, "Aaj se Jharkhand mein parivartan ki shuruat ho gayee hai" (the beginning of change has started in Jharkhand). In a bid to connect with the tribals, he introduced a new slogan: Roti, Beti aur Maati' (bread, daughters and land).