Tribal votes may not go en bloc to any party

There are groups and sub-groups in every tribal community thereby dividing votes among various candidates

Mayurbhanj is one of the most tribal-dominated districts in Odisha. About 50 per cent of the district's population are tribal people. Over 40 groups and sub-groups have been identified in the district. Division within tribal communities shows that no political party will be able to shift their votes en block. They seem to be divided in their choice of candidates.

The BJP's Lok Sabha candidate here, Nepol Raghunath Murmu, grandson of Pandit Raghunath Murmu, who created Al-Chiki script and popularise it, is banking on the legendary figure of his grandfather.

“In Udala Assembly seat, Bhaskar Madhei is contesting as BJP candidate. He belongs to Bathudi community which dominates tribal groups in the area. We believe that majority of Bathudi voters will vote in favour of him,” said Himadri Pal, a resident of Udala.

Ananga Senapati, Congress candidate from Udala, also belongs to Bathudi community. He may cut into Mr. Madhei’s core constituent.

Similarly, a sizeable population of Bhumij tribe resides in Bangiriposi Assembly seat where the Congress had fielded a candidate from this community.

Winning prospects

“In successive elections in Mayurbhanj, we have noticed political parties fielding candidates from specific tribal groups to bolster their winning prospects. In this election, in several Assembly constituencies, candidates belonging to many tribes are in the fray expecting that they would polarise their community votes,” said Kalyan Sinha, a Baripada-based journalist.

Similarly, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has a strong base in the district. The party, despite its top leadership in Odisha switched side to Biju Janata Dal after announcement of election dates, continues to have strong following in certain pockets including Bangriposhi, Rairangpur and Bahalda, which are close to Jharkhand. Visit of Sibu Soren, JMM chief, and his son Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to the region a few days ago has helped the party to consolidate the support groups.

To counter Mr. Soren's impact, BJP has roped in Arjun Munda, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, who addressed a public rally at Rairangpur.

Mainstream political parties are finding it difficult to judge the mood of tribal communities. While villagers in the rural heartland of Mayurbhanj have started to repose faith in Narendra Modi's leadership, tribal people are indecisive over their support for Assembly candidates.