In A Reversal, INDIA Bloc Takes Big Lead Against NDA In Jharkhand

NDA was much ahead of the INDIA allinace but the see-saw battle saw BJP and allies trailing and settling in favour of Hemant Soren-led faction.

Ranchi:In the hotly contested poll between BJP-led NDA and JMM-led INDIA bloc in Jharkhand, the people of the state seem to have restored their faith in the incumbent Hemant Soren government, showed early trends. As per latest trends till 10.30, JMM-led alliance is seen taking decisive lead over the NDA. The JMM-Congress-RJD combine have reached 50 mark while NDA is seen trailing at 29 seats in the 81 member Assembly.

However, when the counting began, NDA was much ahead of the ruling alliance but soon witnessed a see-saw battle with INDIA bloc and then finally settling in favour of Hemant Soren-led faction.The Election Commission data also reflect a similar picture with INDIA bloc taking lead in more than 45 seats while BJP falling behind with lead in about 28-30 seats.

The 81 Assembly seats in Jharkhand went to polls in two-phased elections, held on November 13 and 20. The state saw record voter turnout was 67.74 per cent, the highest since the state's creation in 2000.The first phase saw voting in 43 constituencies, while the second phase saw 38 seats up for grabs.

The ruling INDIA bloc, led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), strives to retain power for a second term. The BJP-led NDA, however, is determined to wrest control, leveraging anti-incumbency and corruption allegations. The state went to polls in two phases – November 13 and 20. In the first phase, 43 constituencies went to polls and 38 in the second phase, covering all 81 seats.

What exit polls say?

The electoral battle was largely bipolar - between the ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc and the BJP-led NDA. The Hemant Soren-led alliance seeks to retain power and the latter hopes to wrest it from the ruling dispensation.

While some exit polls predict that the BJP-led NDA is likely to oust the ruling JMM-led coalition, others forecast the return of the INDIA alliance in Jharkhand.

Seats to watch out for

The electoral fight in the state saw a total of 1,211 candidates in the fray. The focus will be on key seats that will see high-volt battle, deciding the electoral fates of prominent politicians.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren contested from Barhait, his wife Kalpana from Gandey, while the Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri (BJP) is in the fray from Chandankiyari. Babulal Marandi from the BJP is fighting from Dhanwar and Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato from the JMM is in Nala.

Deepika Pandey Singh of Congress is contesting from Mahagama, Sita Soren (sister-in-law of CM Hemant Soren) from Jamtara, AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto from Silli, and former chief minister Champai Soren from Seraikela.

Issues Vs Promises

The NDA leaders were accusing the JMM-led coalition of indulging in corruption and having failed in stopping infiltration of Bangladeshis. They did not spare anyone in the party leadership ranks beginning from Hemant who has been enlarged on bail by the Supreme Court in an Enforcement Directorate(ED) case.

JMM was seen wooing voters with promises of welfare schemes and training its guns on the BJP-led Centre for "unleashing" its agencies such as the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) against its political rivals. Hemant Soren's accusation rang out against the saffron camp, which he said had spent over Rs 500 crore on "malicious campaigns" against him.

The BJP plank

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president JP Nadda, and chief ministers of several states, attacked the JMM-led coalition during their extensive election rallies. Soren who spent five months in jail in the ED case became their easy target.

Removal of Champai Soren as chief minister was one of the primary poll plank that the saffron party is hoping to capitalise on. They made it as an issue of how a tribal leader was insulted by the JMM-led coalition.

Congress counter

BJP's slogan "ek rahenge toh safe range" (if we remain united, we will be safe) was mocked by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He translated it as the "unity" between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and billionaires like Ambani.

The INDIA-bloc campaign was spearheaded by Rahul, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Hemant Soren, Kalpana Soren. They were mostly focused on reiterating the welfare schemes.

The past

In the 2019 Assembly Elections, JMM bagged 19 of the 28 ST reserved seats, Congress secured 6, BJP won 2, and JVM(P) bagged 1. Of the nine SC seats, JMM won 2, BJP 6, and RJD secured 1. Overall JMM won 30 seats, BJP finished second with 25, down by 12 in 2014. The JMM-combine managed to mop up 47 seats.

This time, the NDA has fielded candidates in 68 seats, while allies AJSU Party has 10, JD(U) has 2, and Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) has 1. Of the INDIA bloc, JMM has fielded candidates in 43 seats, Congress in 30, RJD in 6, and CPI(ML) in 4, with some friendly contests on certain seats.