JMM retains Ghatsila by landslide margin; Champai chose political suicide, says Supriyo Bhattacharya

Jamshedpur/Ranchi: Ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc on Friday decimated the NDA, which is led from the front by BJP, in the Ghatshila bypoll by even a much bigger margin compared to the 2024 election.

The verdict comes as the first major referendum in favour of the Hemant Soren govt, which stormed to office for the second consecutive time after last year’s assembly election.In his reaction and congratulatory message, chief minister Hemant Soren said the people of Ghatsila have once again created history. “Heartiest congratulations, gratitude, and Johar to my dear residents of Ghatshila for showering boundless love and blessings on Somesh babu and the bow-and-arrow (JMM symbol).

This victory is Ghatshila’s victory. This victory is a strong step towards fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of Ghatshila’s people.

This victory is also a humble tribute to the late Ramdas da. In the coming times, your Abua govt and JMM family will prove worthy of your trust,” he said.In the Ghatshila bypoll, JMM and INDIA bloc candidate Somesh Chandra Soren made his electoral debut and got 1,04,936 votes. He grabbed the winning certificate by defeating BJP’s Babulal Soren by 38,601 votes.

Babulal was able to get only 66,335 votes. In 2024, his late father and ex-MLA-cum-minister Ramdas Soren had beaten Babulal by 22,446 votes. Ramdas’s death in Aug this year paved the way for a byelection in this constituency, which is reserved for ST.“People’s trust in Hemant Soren and their affection for JMM, Hemant ji and his wife, Kalpana Soren ji, who is also an MLA from Gandey, ensured my landmark victory. The govt took significant initiatives for tribal development and prosperity, which was reflected by the voting,” Somesh said after the win.In Ranchi, JMM’s central general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya also termed the victory as a political tribute to Dishom guru and JMM patriarch Shibu Soren, who was also one of the architects of separate Jharkhand. “People also paid tribute to late Ramdas Soren ji, who served Ghatshila through his works for many years,” he said.Talking about the various factors working in favour of JMM, Bhattacharya said, “Voters of Ghatshila, most of whom are tribals, have once again decided to opt for positive politics and development rather than the BJP’s divisive agenda, which they even continued this time despite facing a serious rout last year,” he said.

Somesh added that people’s sympathy, too, worked in his favour.Taking to X, Babulal’s father and BJP MLA from Seraikela, Champai Soren, “Our fight in Jharkhand is against the changing demography and religious conversions due to infiltrators. It is to preserve the language, culture, traditions, and the very existence of tribal society. I know many obstacles will come along the way. My thanks to all our supporters in Ghatshila.

Perhaps we were not successful this time in making the public understand our points, and that's why.

.. Elections will come and go, but our society must be saved. Our struggle to protect Jharkhand’s tribals and indigenous people will continue.”The bypoll result was crucial both for the govt and the BJP in their own ways. For the govt, it is a reaffirmation of the people's support, and for the opposition BJP, it was trying to stay politically relevant, particularly for Champai, who is also known as the Kolhan Tiger, and his son Babulal Soren, after they shifted loyalty to the saffron camp ahead of the assembly polls last year.

A win would have boosted Champai’s clout within the saffron camp, which chose to bet on his son from the Ghatshila seat again.Taking a dig at Champai’s future, Bhattacharya said, “What can we say if he chose political suicide?”Earlier, the counting took place at the Jamshedpur Cooperative College in 20 rounds. Right from the start, Somesh maintained the lead, but in the sixth round, the margin got narrowed. From the eighth round onwards, he again continued to increase the margin.JMM also improved its votes compared to the last assembly polls. In comparison to 98,356 votes in 2024, JMM registered an increase of 6,438 votes this time. BJP suffered a loss of more votes compared to last year’s assembly polls.