Jharkhand Elections: JMM Promises 33% Reservation for Women in Government Jobs in New Manifesto

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) unveiled its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections on Monday, pledging to reserve 33% of state government jobs for women. The manifesto was released by party leader and Rajya Sabha member Shibu Soren, emphasizing key focus areas such as agriculture, education, and women's empowerment.

Party spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya highlighted the significance of the manifesto's commitments. "We are proposing 33% reservation for women in all state government positions. The manifesto concentrates on nine crucial points aimed at the state's development," he said.

Economic Support and Development Initiatives

The JMM's manifesto includes substantial support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The party promises to provide loans up to ₹5 crore to MSME entrepreneurs under the Credit Guarantee Scheme. Additionally, it intends to waive existing loans for small and medium-level traders to alleviate financial burdens and stimulate economic growth.

In a bid to promote sports and nurture talent, the party plans to establish centers of excellence in all divisions and propose the creation of a sports university in Jharkhand.

Alliance and Joint Manifesto with INDIA Bloc

On November 5, the INDIA bloc—which comprises the Congress, JMM, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist)—released a joint manifesto for the assembly elections. The event saw the presence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

Addressing the gathering, Kharge responded to criticisms from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding electoral promises. "Whenever we discuss guarantees, PM Modi immediately criticizes them. He mentioned me in his speech, questioning the reliability of Congress' guarantees. I want to assure everyone that Congress fulfills all its promises, unlike the unfulfilled guarantees of Modi," Kharge stated.

Election Schedule and Voter Demographics

The assembly elections in Jharkhand are scheduled to be conducted in two phases. The first phase will take place on November 13, covering 43 constituencies, while the second phase is set for November 20, encompassing 38 seats. The counting of votes will occur on November 23.

Jharkhand has an electorate of approximately 2.6 crore eligible voters, with 1.31 crore male voters and 1.29 crore female voters.

Previous Election Results

In the 2019 Jharkhand Assembly elections, the JMM emerged as the largest party, securing 30 seats. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress won 25 seats each. The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) obtained three seats, and the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) secured two seats.

Conclusion

The JMM's manifesto focuses on social inclusion, economic development, and empowerment of women and youth. As the assembly elections approach, the party aims to strengthen its position by addressing key issues pertinent to the voters of Jharkhand.