In Jharkhand, a young leader’s growing popularity leaves established parties worried
It may not win a large number of seats, but Jairam Mahato’s JLKM could eat into more established parties’ support bases, particularly among Kurmi Mahato voters.
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On October 28, an empty ground in the town of Tenughat in Jharkhand’s Bokaro district filled up as a large crowd gathered to listen to 29-year-old Jairam Mahato.
He is the founder of the newly-formed Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, which is contesting its first Assembly election in the state. Although the party is just three months old, its leader’s popularity, particularly among the Kurmi Mahato community, is giving established parties reason for concern since it could eat into their votes.
The young politician submitted his nomination papers for the upcoming Jharkhand assembly election, from the Bermo constituency, before addressing the rally in Tenughat. Dressed in a simple T-shirt and track pants, he entered the grounds standing atop a moving Mahindra Scorpio, against the backdrop of the sun sinking into the Tenughat dam.
“Tiger Zindabad!” shouted some in the crowd as they ran toward him, using the epithet by which he is known. Unable to reach the stage because of the crowd, he addressed the gathering from the hood of the vehicle, to much fanfare.
The Kurmi Mahato community, also known just as the Kurmi community, to which Jairam belongs, is considered to be a Mulvasi or native community of Jharkhand. Jairam’s primary political plank is the advocacy...
