At a rally in Ranchi’s Morabadi Ground on August 30, the Indian National Congress accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of planning to weaken tribal representation by reducing seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies through a new delimitation exercise. The party said it would oppose any delimitation based on the 2007-08 report, which it described as a “BJP conspiracy.”
State Congress in‑charge K. Raju told the gathering that the party would stand with tribals to protect their political representation and rights over land, water and forests. He cited remarks by Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha opposition leader, that tribals are “moolvasi” with full rights to natural resources. Congress leaders Vikrant Bhuria and Mallikarjun Kharge called for a 25‑year postponement of delimitation to ensure seats reflect future tribal population, warning that any reduction would diminish their electoral strength.
Former state minister Bandhu Tirkey warned that the proposed delimitation could erode safeguards under the Fifth Schedule and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, and accused the centre of passing the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 to strip tribal coal rights and limit Jharkhand’s tax revenue. He also said the Union government owes Jharkhand Rs 1.36 lakh crore and demanded an explanation for the delay.
Babulal Marandi, senior BJP leader and state opposition chief, countered the Congress narrative, accusing the party and “missionaries” of deceiving tribals and of facilitating a planned change in the state’s demography. He asserted that tribal constitutional rights remain secure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and urged tribals not to “fall into the trap” of the Congress, promising the BJP would oppose any attempt to “loot” the state.
