As Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was sworn-in on Sunday for his second term as State Chief Minister in a function attended by an array of leaders from nationwide Opposition parties, the symbolism was unmistakeable. The previous regime had earned itself unpopularity by trying to tweak tenancy and land-holding laws, raising fears among tribals of land displacement. This was clearly a nod to those voters who had registered their dissent with the previous regime by voting against it. Jharkhand has the dubious distinction of registering starvation deaths in recent years, with food production and scarcity a major concern. Without a thoroughgoing emphasis on rural and tribal welfare, Jharkhand will not attain its developmental goals.

Source: The Hindu December 30, 2019 18:33 UTC