Jharkhand poll verdict: Arjun Munda, Madhu Koda and Babulal Marandi's defeats signal end of tribal identity politics

NEW DELHI: Hubris visited former chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of Jharkhand rather forcefully on Tuesday, when results of the Assembly polls in the state were announced. Three ex-CMs, Babulal Marandi, Arjun Munda and Madhu Koda were all defeated in these polls, with Marandi losing both seats, Dhanwar and Giridih which he had contested.

He was defeated by Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) candidate Rajkumar Yadav in Dhanwar and by the BJP's Nirbhay Shabadi at Giridih. Marandi came third in Giridih. Arjun Munda, often considered Marandi’s main rival, lost from Kharsawa constituency. He was defeated by JMM candidate Dasrath Gagrai. Former chief minister and Jai Bharat Samanta Party candidate Madhu Koda lost elections from the Majhgao constituency.

He was defeated by JMM candidate Nial Purty by over 29,000 votes. Koda had some solace with wife Geeta Koda winning from the Jagannathpur. Chief Minister Hemant Soren didn’t remain untouched from this either, winning only one out of the two seats he contested, winning from the Barhait constituency but losing his father’s traditional seat of Dumka.

Former deputy chief minister and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) who tied up a winning alliance with the BJP, Sudesh Mahto lost from the Silli constituency. The giant killing spree of the Jharkhand electorate reflects, it seems, not just a weariness with some of the traditional tribal leaders but also with cases of graft against some of these leaders. Marandi’s case is particularly painful for him, as he was hoping to hold the winning cards in an uncertain numerical outcome in the state. His party won eight seats, a good showing for him, but without personal glory, or bargaining power.