Jharkhand’s ruling JMM-Congress-RJD alliance has expressed dissatisfaction with the announcement of “early” Assembly elections by the Election Commission (EC),

JMM central general secretary and party spokesperson, Vinod Pandey, who is considered close to chief minister Hemant Soren, expressed unhappiness over EC announcing polls on November 13 and 20 and results announcement on November 23.

Pandey said: “Our government term is till January and our party representatives had requested the EC to conduct the polls after chhath and statehood functions (November 15) which is held as a festival in tribal heartlands to observe birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and formation of the state. However, EC announced the polls before that date which is unfair towards the
state government.”

He also accused BJP Jharkhand assembly election co-incharge and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of being “EC spokesperson”.

“The BJP leader had on Monday announced that EC would be announcing the dates on Tuesday and it was spot on. This raises serious questions on EC if a leader of a political party comes to know about their announcement a day before,” said Pandey.

He added: “We are ready for polls any day and are confident of retaining power due to the popular welfare measures undertaken by the Hemant Soren-led government which has benefited all sections of people.”

Ranchi-based JMM leader Manoj Pandey also accused the EC of being a puppet to the BJP-led Centre over the BJP leader “coming to know about the announcement”.

BJP spokesperson Pratul Sahdeo rejected the allegation against Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“It was common sense that Jharkhand election dates would be announced alongside Maharashtra and the Assam chief minister had assumed the announcement on Tuesday,” said Sahdeo.