A significant shift has been observed in Jharkhand's political landscape. Former minister Satyanand Bhokta has been entrusted with a major responsibility within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Bhokta, who served as a minister in the cabinets of Hemant Soren and Champai Soren, has once again gained the trust of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Satyanand Bhokta: In a crucial move within Jharkhand's politics, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has appointed veteran leader Satyanand Bhokta as the Principal General Secretary of the state. This appointment was made by the party's National President, Lalu Prasad Yadav. Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections in 2025, this decision is considered a significant step towards strengthening the party organization. Satyanand Bhokta has served as a minister in the Jharkhand government and has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Chatra constituency.
Who is Satyanand Bhokta?
Satyanand Bhokta was born on May 2, 1972, in Kari village of the Chatra district in Jharkhand. His father's name is the late Jagarnath Bhokta, and his mother's name is Ramani Devi. His wife's name is Parma Devi, and he is the father of four sons. Educationally, he has studied up to the intermediate level. However, politically, he is known as an experienced and b figure in Jharkhand's politics.
- Beginning with BJP: Satyanand Bhokta started his political career with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In the year 2000, he contested the election from the Chatra Assembly seat and became an MLA by defeating RJD candidate Janardan Paswan.
- First Ministerial Post: In 2003, he was appointed as the Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation in the Jharkhand government for the first time. Just a year later, during the tenure of Chief Minister Arjun Munda, he was entrusted with the responsibility of the Minister of Agriculture and Sugarcane Development.
- 2005 Elections: In 2005, he again contested the election on a BJP ticket and won. He was elected as an MLA for the second consecutive time and remained a minister in the government.
Ups and Downs in Politics
- Defeat in 2009: Satyanand Bhokta contested the 2009 election from the Simaria Assembly seat on a BJP ticket, but he faced defeat at the hands of JVM's Jaiprakash Singh Bhokta.
- Change of Party in 2014: Due to not getting a ticket from the BJP, he joined the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) and contested from Chatra, but lost.
Return to RJD and New Success
- Joined RJD in 2019: Satyanand Bhokta left JVM and joined RJD before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the same year's Assembly elections, RJD made him a candidate from Chatra.
- Defeated Janardan Paswan: In this election, he once again defeated BJP's Janardan Paswan and was elected as an MLA.
- Only RJD MLA: In the 2019 Assembly elections, Satyanand Bhokta became the sole MLA from the RJD quota to reach the Jharkhand Assembly.
Increased Stature in RJD: Responsibility of Principal General Secretary
Considering Satyanand Bhokta's experience and his hold on the organization, RJD supremo Lalu Yadav has now appointed him as the Principal General Secretary of the Jharkhand Pradesh RJD. An notification has also been issued by the party in this regard. This appointment of his not only signals the strengthening of the RJD organization in Jharkhand, but also demonstrates that the party wants to see him in a major role in the upcoming elections.
This is not the first time that Lalu Yadav has shown faith in Satyanand Bhokta. In 2019, he included him in the party and gave him an Assembly ticket, and now by entrusting him with one of the most important roles in the party organization, the 'Principal General Secretary', he has proved that Bhokta holds a high position in the party.
Ahead of the Bihar elections in 2025, the RJD is engaged in strengthening its organizational structure. In states like Jharkhand, where the party's presence has been limited, the party is working on a strategy to increase its base by bringing forward experienced leaders like Satyanand Bhokta.
