Shiv Shankar Singh, who recently resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has declared that he will contest the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections as an Independent candidate. Singh's decision follows his discontent with the party’s choice to field Purnima Das Sahu, the daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das, as the BJP’s candidate from Jamshedpur East.
Singh’s primary critique centres around the BJP’s involvement in "Pariwarvad" or dynastic politics, a practice he argues the party criticises in public yet engages in behind closed doors.
Singh, a political veteran with a background in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has been active in politics for over three decades. He was one of four BJP members suspended for going against the party’s official candidate.
According to Singh, his independent bid will challenge the prospects of both the BJP and Congress, influencing the outcome of the election in Jamshedpur East. Singh pointed out that the BJP’s decision to field candidates from political families such as Meera Munda (wife of former Union Minister Arjun Munda) and Babulal Soren (son of former CM Champai Soren) directly contradicted their frequent criticism of dynastic politics.
Singh's discontent is rooted in his belief that the BJP’s own actions undermine its public stance against "Pariwarvad." He questioned how the party could accuse others of promoting dynastic rule while simultaneously fielding candidates from influential families.
Singh specifically highlighted how both Purnima Sahu, BJP's candidate, and Dr. Ajoy Kumar, the Congress candidate, were "parachuted" into the race, lacking real connections to the local community of Jamshedpur East.
In contrast, Singh presented himself as a candidate with deep local roots. He emphasised his longstanding involvement with the people of Jamshedpur East as both a social worker and a politician.
His campaign promises focus on key local issues that resonate with the constituency, including the development of an IT park, industrial revival, creation of job opportunities, better education, and improved healthcare. Singh emphasised that if elected, his primary goal would be the development of Jamshedpur East based on the real needs of its people.
Singh’s candidacy is positioned as a challenge not just to the BJP’s dynastic politics but also to Congress’s apparent disconnect with the local populace. Singh argued that Purnima Sahu had no prior political experience, which he believed would make it difficult for her to address the constituency’s issues effectively. Similarly, Singh criticised Dr. Ajoy Kumar for his long absence from the region since his loss in the 2011 parliamentary elections.
With 24 candidates vying for the seat, including 15 Independents, Singh sees the race as essentially a three-way contest between himself, the BJP, and Congress.
His decision to run as an Independent, without any party affiliation, is rooted in his desire to bring change and focus on the issues that truly matter to the residents of Jamshedpur East. His manifesto, which centres on practical development plans, aims to offer a fresh perspective on how the constituency can progress.
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