Chief minister Hemant Soren joined workers of his party and those of coalition partners in Madhupur on Friday afternoon to step up campaigning for the April 17 byelection with plans to camp there for the next five days.
The ruling UPA comprising JMM, Congress and RJD have put up incumbent minister Hafizul Hassan as their joint candidate in Madhupur. The seat fell vacant following the demise of Hafizul’s father and former minister in the Hemant Soren cabinet in October last year. BJP on the other hand has fielded Ganga Narayan Singh, an AJSU-P turncoat, as NDA candidate, making it a bipolar contest.
Madhupur is going to be the third byelection ever since the Hemant Soren government came to power in 2019. Ahead of voting, the ruling coalition is confident of victory, pitching the contest as one to elect a "minister". Hemant inducted Hafizul in his cabinet early in the year to ensure JMM’s claim on the seat.
Hemant will return to Ranchi on the night of April 14, said JMM sources. Asked about his long stay, JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharjee said it was only natural for th chief minister to spearhead the campaign as he was the executive president of the JMM and the leader of the coalition government. “JMM is more than confident of retaining the seat. All coalition partners are working together to ensure Hafizul’s win,” he said.
The crowd at the JMM election rally in Madhupur on Friday. Telegraph picture
According to party sources, Hemant was to hold an election rally at Thana ground at Margomunda on Friday evening. On Saturday, he is expected to hold rallies in Devipur and Ghasko Hatia. Thereafter, he will address close to half a dozen rallies over the next few days till April 14.
Congress has deputed workers across the region too. On Wednesday night, state Congress president Rameshwar Oraon arrived in Madhupur for a three-day electoral tour.
The Opposition BJP is also canvassing vigorously with Babulal Marandi, the leader of the BJP legislature party, leading from the front. Since the last week, Marandi has been actively holding rallies across the constituency in favour of the BJP candidate.
