JMM's Manoj Pandey challenges BJP's tribal outreach, backs state govt in Nisha Bhagat case

Jharkhand Ministerial Man of the House Manoj Pandey of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) publicly questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) approach to engaging tribal voters. He argued that the party's outreach methods were not resonating with the state's tribal communities, which form a significant portion of the electorate.

At the same time, Pandey defended the state government's actions in the high‑profile Nisha Bhagat case, asserting that the administration had followed due process and was cooperating with investigative agencies. He said the case should not be politicised and urged all parties to focus on governance.

Pandey’s remarks came during a press briefing in Ranchi, where he called for a balanced political discourse and warned against using sensitive tribal issues for electoral gain. The JMM leader emphasized that the welfare of tribal populations must remain a priority for any party seeking power in Jharkhand.