Chhath Festival Stirs Political Strategies Ahead of Ghatsila Bypoll

As the Chhath festival looms, political lines are being drawn in Jharkhand in preparation for the Ghatsila assembly bypoll scheduled for November 11. Candidates are ramping up direct voter engagements and small-scale meetings, seeking to capitalize on the heightened communal and cultural fervor.

The contest follows the unfortunate passing of JMM MLA and state education minister Ramdas Soren on August 15. The JMM is rallying support for Soren's son, Somesh Chandra Soren, amid a dynamic field of contenders including BJP’s Babulal Soren and JLKM’s Babulal Murmu.

Highlighted by the government’s welfare initiatives, JMM campaigns emphasize continuity and development, while opposition criticisms focus on systemic issues of governance. This bypoll has evolved into more than just electoral posturing; it represents a clash over identity, rights, and governance strategies in Jharkhand.