Sat Nov 23 23:55:30 UTC 2024: ## BJP’s Stronghold Crumbles in South Chotanagpur: I.N.D.I.A Coalition Sweeps Polls
**Ranchi, [Date]:** The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered a significant setback in the South Chotanagpur division, traditionally considered its stronghold, in the recent assembly elections. The BJP, which had secured 5-8 seats in the previous four elections (winning 7 in 2005, 5 in 2009 and 2019, and 8 in 2014), managed to win only two seats this time.
This dramatic fall is attributed to the impact of the I.N.D.I.A alliance’s “Gogo Didi” scheme, which resonated strongly with voters. The I.N.D.I.A coalition secured 13 seats in the region, while the NDA managed only 2.
A notable loss for the BJP was in Kanke, a constituency they had held for over three decades. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress candidates, Ram Surya Munda and Suresh Baitha respectively, successfully breached the BJP’s dominance in Khunti and Kanke. However, BJP MLA C.P. Singh retained his seat, marking a continuous win since 1995.
The I.N.D.I.A alliance’s promise of a monthly ₹2500 payment to women under the “Gogo Didi” scheme is widely credited for their success. Conversely, the NDA failed to garner sufficient support on their own agenda.
The election results paint a clear picture of a shift in the political landscape of South Chotanagpur:
* **BJP:** 2 seats
* **JMM:** 7 seats
* **Congress:** 6 seats
Even long-standing BJP leaders like Neelkanth Singh Munda, who had won continuously since 2000, faced defeat in Khunti. The results signify a major shift in voter preference and a significant blow to the BJP’s dominance in this key region.
First Piper 