As counting neared its conclusion on Saturday, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA bloc appeared to retain power in Jharkhand, according to trends available on the Election Commission's website. With leads in 56 of the state’s 81 assembly seats, the alliance is on track to cement its hold over the state’s political landscape.
The JMM was leading in 34 constituencies, Congress in 16, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in four, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation in two. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which had banked on an aggressive campaign of infiltration issue, was trailing behind with leads in 23 seats. Of these, the BJP accounted for 21.
In the Barhait assembly constituency, chief minister Hemant Soren, a key figure in the JMM’s campaign, showed that his appeal remained the same despite allegations of corruption and being imprisoned earlier this year . Soren maintained a lead of 17,347 votes over the BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom. His wife, Kalpana Soren, credited with revitalising the party following her husband’s legal troubles, also made her mark in Dumka, leading by 1,612 votes after the 14th round of counting.
Kalpana Soren posted pictures with her husband Hemant Soren on X and said, "With family at Ranchi airport after victory in Gandey and Jharkhand....This historic victory is the victory of every person of Jharkhand.Hail Jharkhand!"
The duo, labelled 'Bunty aur Babli' by the BJP during the campaign, has proven their mettle in the face of criticism. With the INDIA bloc’s strong performance, the JMM seems to have dispelled the shadows of doubt cast by the BJP’s relentless attacks.
While state BJP president Babulal Marandi led in Dhanwar and former chief minister Champai Soren inched closer to victory in Seraikela, other prominent leaders faced tough battles. Amar Kumar Bauri, the Leader of Opposition, was trailing in Chandankiyari. Congress minister Banna Gupta was behind JD(U)’s Saryu Roy in Jamshedpur West. In Ranchi, BJP’s CP Singh held a lead against JMM’s Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Majhi.
The two-phase elections—held on November 13 and 20—witnessed a record voter turnout of 67.74%, the highest since the state’s formation in 2000. Loyal party workers were quick to celebrate the emerging trends, bursting crackers and distributing sweets. The Election Commission has yet to formally declare the final results.
In 2019, JMM won 30 seats, Congress won 16 seats and Rashtriya Janata Dal won 1 seat. The BJP won 25 seats of the state’s 81 assembly seats.
The BJP, which had got 33.8 per cent vote share in 2019 has retained nearly the same number of votes in this election, with a 33.2 per cent vote share. The JMM's vote share has increased to 23.3 per cent this election, from 19 per cent in 2019.
The Congress too has bettered its performance as against last Assembly polls. The party has got 15.4 per cent votes as against 14 per cent in 2019.