The Congress party in Jharkhand suffered a major setback as its lone MP from the state, Geeta Koda, joined the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, holds considerable influence in the Singhbhum region. This development is expected to have implications not only in the national elections but also in the upcoming assembly elections scheduled later this year.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP emerged victorious in 11 out of the 14 seats in the state, while its ally AJSUP won one seat. On the other hand, the Congress and the JMM managed to win just one seat each. However, in the subsequent 2019 assembly elections, the BJP’s hold on power in the state weakened with the party winning only 25 out of the 81 seats. The JMM with 30 seats and Congress with 16 seats formed a coalition government.
The Kodas, known for their influence in the Singhbhum region, have played a crucial role in Jharkhand politics. Madhu Koda served as the chief minister of the state from 2006 to 2008. Geeta Koda, who entered politics after her husband got embroiled in corruption cases and was barred from contesting elections, served two terms as MLA from 2009 to 2019 before being elected as an MP from Chaibasa. She joined the Congress in 2018.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Geeta Koda defeated the BJP’s Laxman Giluwa by a margin of over 72,000 votes. She secured more than 49% of the total votes polled, while Giluwa received nearly 41% of the votes. In the previous 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Geeta Koda had lost to Giluwa by a margin of nearly 10,000 votes.
Singhbhum, which falls under the Kolhan division of the state, holds significant importance in the elections. Four out of the seven chief ministers of Jharkhand have hailed from the Kolhan division. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP failed to secure any seats in the Kolhan region.
According to reports, Geeta Koda was unhappy with the Congress’ alliance strategy in the state. She criticized the party, stating, “I joined the BJP today. The Congress has put the country in trouble by indulging in appeasement politics. The party says it will take everyone along, but it takes only its family along.” With Geeta Koda now a part of the BJP, the party would hope to make gains in the upcoming assembly elections, particularly in the Kolhan division.
The BJP-led NDA, which won 12 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand in 2019, will be aiming for a clean sweep in the state in the upcoming elections. Geeta Koda’s inclusion in the party is expected to boost the BJP’s prospects, especially in the Kolhan division.
