Jharkhand Assembly elections: Dumka records 70.56 pc voter turnout
The Jharkhand Assembly elections wrapped up with a strong 68.01% voter turnout statewide, while Dumka saw an impressive 70.56% participation. Voting took place from 7 am to 6 pm on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of a major electoral exercise across the state.
Dumka is one of the most crucial Assembly constituencies in Jharkhand, both politically and historically. The seat has been a stronghold of the JMM, a party that has played a central role in the state's politics. The constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and its voters are primarily from tribal communities, with a mix of backward classes, minorities, and upper castes.
In the ongoing elections, Dumka remains a key battleground, with the JMM aiming to retain its stronghold, while the BJP seeks to break into this traditional turf.
Key candidates in the fray
Basant Soren (JMM)
Basant Soren, the sitting MLA from Dumka and son of JMM president Shibu Soren, is seeking re-election. He won the seat in a by-election in 2020, defeating BJP’s Louis Marandi by a margin of over 6,800 votes. Basant is a key member of the JMM leadership and is working hard to ensure that the party retains control of Dumka.
Sunil Soren (BJP)
Sunil Soren, a former BJP MP, has been fielded by the party to challenge the JMM in Dumka. Sunil has a history of defeating the Soren family members, including JMM president Shibu Soren in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and his son Durga Soren in a 2005 Assembly election. He is seen as a strong contender, with significant political experience.
Babu Ram Murmu (BSP)
Babu Ram Murmu is contesting from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), but his impact on the outcome of the election is expected to be minimal compared to the top two candidates. His participation, however, adds to the multi-cornered contest in Dumka.
Local issues in Dumka
Bangladeshi Infiltration
One of the key issues in the region has been the alleged infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into the tribal areas of Santhal Pargana. BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, have claimed that the state government has failed to address this issue, which they argue is harming the tribal population.
Corruption allegations
Another major issue is the allegation of corruption against the Hemant Soren government. The BJP has been vocal in accusing the JMM of not fulfilling its promises and being involved in corruption.
Cash transfer scheme
The monthly cash transfer scheme introduced by the JMM government is also a point of contention. While JMM supporters say it has helped the poor, BJP critics argue that it is just a populist move aimed at winning votes.
Electorate size
Dumka has a total of 2,59,079 voters. The electorate consists of 1,26,903 male voters and 1,32,175 female voters. The tribal population is the largest group in the constituency, and this demographic is crucial in determining the outcome. The area also has a significant number of backward and upper-caste voters, making the caste equation important for both major political parties.
Previous election results
The most recent election in Dumka was the 2020 Assembly by-election. In that contest, Basant Soren (JMM) won the seat with 80,559 votes, defeating Louis Marandi (BJP), who secured 73,717 votes.
In the 2019 Assembly election, Basant's elder brother, Hemant Soren (JMM), won the seat with 81,007 votes, while BJP's Louis Marandi came second with 67,819 votes. The NOTA (None of the Above) option received 3,665 votes, indicating some level of voter dissatisfaction.
Polling booths
For the upcoming 2024 elections, there will be 236 polling booths set up in Dumka constituency. Jharkhand, as a whole, will have nearly 30,000 polling booths for the elections.