Author: Pratik Kumar Verma
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/PP/020300023
Abstract: This study explores the political participation and leadership patterns of tribal communities in Lohardaga district, Jharkhand, focusing on the extent of engagement, socio-economic and cultural influences, and emerging leadership structures. Employing a descriptive survey method, data were collected from 300 tribal respondents using a selfmade structured questionnaire covering voting behavior, political awareness, socio-economic factors, and leadership patterns. The findings reveal that tribal communities demonstrate substantial participation in electoral processes and local governance, with education, occupation, gender, and adherence to traditional practices significantly influencing their political engagement. The study also highlights the predominance of hybrid leadership, which balances traditional authority with elected representatives, while traditional and modern leadership patterns coexist in varying degrees. These results underscore the complex and evolving nature of tribal political participation in Lohardaga, emphasizing the need for interventions that enhance awareness, leadership capacity, and active involvement in governance.
Keywords: Political Participation, Tribal Communities, Leadership Patterns, Socio-Economic Factors, Lohardaga, Jharkhand, Hybrid Leadership.
Page No: 182-192