New Delhi:
The JMM-led three-party alliance stormed to power in Jharkhand on Monday, ousting the BJP in yet another state in the Hindi heartland after the saffron party’s stupendous performance in the Lok Sabha elections, a development that could have profound implications for the country.
The Raghubar Das government’s feat of providing a stable government that lasted a full five-year term in a state where chief ministers changed faster than seasons did not cut ice with the electorate which decided to repose faith in a coalition that fought over seats and broke up five years ago.
Contesting the state assembly elections alone for the first time sans long-standing ally the AJSU Party, the ruling BJP bagged 25 seats, five less than the JMM which led the table, clinching 30 in the 81-member House.
Das tendered his resignation and accepted defeat. “I met Governor Droupadi Murmu and submitted my resignation. The governor asked me to be caretaker CM till the new government is formed,” he told reporters outside Raj Bhavan, with defeat staring him in the face in his pocket borough of Jamshedpur (East) seat.
Saryu Roy, his suave opponent, a BJP rebel contesting as an Independent, clinched his seat. Roy, a former state minister, had thrown his hat into the ring after being denied a ticket to contest the adjoining Jamshedpur (west) seat.
The BJP, which had posted a spectacular victory in the Lok Sabha election in the middle of the year, was yet to score a convincing triumph in an assembly election since.
In the two assembly elections held after the Lok Sabha polls, the party failed to win a clear majority in Haryana, where it had to ally with Dushyant Chautala’s Jannayak Janta Party to cobble together a government.
The BJP emerged as the single largest party in Maharashtra where it fought the polls together with its oldest ally Shiv Sena.
The two together could have easily formed a government which may have lasted for five years, but irreconcilable differences between the two Hindutva parties saw the Shiv Sena do the unthinkable—align with the Congress and its offshoot NCP—and form a government.
The Devendra Fadnavis government of the BJP, propped up by the perceived support from Ajit Pawar, a nephew of NCP boss Sharad Pawar, lasted barely three days. A recalcitrant Ajit Pawar got spooked by the enormous clout of his uncle, who mustered almost all party MLAs in support of a Shiv Sena governent led by Uddhav Thackeray, and made a meek return home.
In the process, the BJP lost an ally in Shiv Sena. The poll outcome has endorsed Hemant Soren, the JMM’s working president, as not only the inheritor of his father Shibu Soren’s legacy as the foremost tribal leader of the state, but also expressly manifested the electorate’s backing for an adivasi at the helm of the state’s affairs.
Raghubar Das, despite having steered the state out of the naxalite menace and providing the most stable government in nearly two decades of Jharkhand’s existence, was a backward class leader.
The last two phases of the five-stage polling in Jharkhand were held after the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had made a strong pitch in its support.
However, the state, with a substantial Muslim population, seemed to have rejected the CAA as also the idea of a nation-wide National Register of Citizens (NRC). A spate of incidents of lynching of Muslims over suspicion of cattle theft is likely to have caused a polarisation of Muslim votes against the current dispensation that went against the BJP.
Moreover, the BJP’s failure to carry forward its alliance with Sudesh Mahato’s AJSU Party also appeared to have cost it dearly. Mahatos are a sub-caste of OBC Kurmis, which have a significant presence in both Bihar and Jharkhand.
Their alienation had a compounding effect as the JD (U), the BJP’s partner in Bihar’s ruling coalition, contested assembly elections in Jharkhand independently. This might have dented the BJP’s OBC vote bank. JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar is a Kurmi by caste. The JD(U) failed to open its account.
Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Jharkhand Assembly Polls: The victory is special & of extreme contemporary importance, and the people of Jharkhand deserve special gratitude and congratulations for summarily defeating the BJP & its divisive agenda.
Results declared for all 81 seats of #JharkhandAssemblyPolls. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) secured 30 seats, Congress secured 16 seats, & BJP secured 25 seats. pic.twitter.com/pYMHzexuAK
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2019
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Badal of Congress defeats Devendra Kunwar of BJP from Jarmundi by 3099 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Irfan Ansari of Congress defeats Birendra Mandal of BJP from Jamtara West by 38741 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Banna Gupta of Congress defeats Devendra Nath Singh of BJP from Jamshedpur West by 22583 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Sita Murmu of JMM defeats Suresh Murmu of BJP from Jama by 2426 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Sona Ram Sinku of Congress defeats Mangal Singh Bobonga of JMM from Jagannathpur by 11606 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Sabita Mahato of JMM defeats Hare Lal Mahato of AJSU from Ichagarh by 18710 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Kamlesh Kumar Singh of Congress defeats Sanjay Kumar Singh Yadav of RJD from Hazaribagh by 9849 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Manish Jaiswal of BJP defeats Dr. Ramchandra Prasad of Congress from Hazaribagh by 51812 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Navin Jaiswal of BJP defeats Ajay Nath Shahdeo of Congress from Hatia by 16264 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Amit Kumar Mandal of BJP defeats Sanjay Prasad Yadav of RJD from Godda by 4512 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Sudivya Kumar of JMM defeats Nirbhay Kumar Shahabadi of BJP from Giridih by 15884 votes
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Babulal Marandi of JVM defeats Lakshman Prasad Singh of Congress from Dhanwar by 17550 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Alok Kumar Chaurasiya of BJP defeats Krishna Nand Tripathi of Congress from Daltonganj by 21517 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Sukhram Oraon of JMM defeats Laxman Giluwa of BJP from Chakradharpur by 12234 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Deepak Birua of JMM defeats J. B. Tubid of BJP from Chaibasa by 26159 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Ramchandra Chandravanshi of BJP defeats Rajesh Mehta of BSP from Bishrampur by 8513 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections Amit Kumar Yadav (Independent) defeats Janki Prasad Yadav of BJP from Barkatha by 24812 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Amba Prasad of Congress defeats Roshan Lal Choudhary of AJSU from Barkagaon by 31514 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Umashankar Akela of Congress defeats Manoj Kumar Yadav of BJP from Barhi by 11371 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Samir Kr. Mohanty of JMM defeats Kunal Shadangi of BJP from Baharagora by 60565 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Lambodar Mahto of AJSU defeats Babita Devi of JMM from Gomai by 10937 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Amit Kumar Mandal of BJP defeats Sanjay Prasad Yadav of RJD from Godda by 4512 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Ramdas Soren of JMM defeats Lakhan Chandra Mardi of BJP from Ghatsila by 6724 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Mithilesh Kumar Thakur of JMM defeats Satyendra Nath Tiwari of BJP from Garhwa by 23522 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Dr Sarfraz Ahmad of JMM defeats Jai Prakash Verma of BJP from Gandey by 8855 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Raj Sinha of BJP defeats Mannan Mallick of Congress from Dhanbad by 30629 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Chamra Linda of JMM defeats Ashok Oraon of BJP from Bishunpur by 17382 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Bhanu Pratap Shahi of BJP defeats Sogra Bibi of BSP from Bhawanathpur by 39904 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Vinod Kumar Singh of CPI(M) defeats Nagendra Mahto of BJP from Bagodar by 14545 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Dulu Mahato of BJP defeats Jaleshwar Mahato of Congress from Baghmara by 824 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Narayan Das of BJP defeats Suresh Paswan of RJD from Deoghar by 2624 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Satyanand Bhokta of RJD defeats Janardan Paswan of BJP from Chatra by 24055 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Deepak Birua of JMM defeats J. B. Tubid of BJP from Chaibasa by 26159 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: Chandreshwar Prasad Singh of BJP defeats Mahua Maji of JMM from Ranchi by 5904 votes.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: BJP’s Aparna Sengupta defeats Arup Chatterjee of CPI-M by 25458 in Nirsa.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: AJSU's Sudesh Kumar Mahto defeats Seema Devi of JMM by 20195 in Silli.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: JMM’s Jiga Susaran Horo defeats Dinesh Oraon of Bharatiya Janata Party by 38418 in Sisai
Raghubar Das reaches Governor house to resign from Chief Ministerial post.
Jharkhand Assembly Election: BJP’s Indrajit Mahato wins Sindri seat by 8253 votes, defeats Marxist Co-Ordination’s Anand Mahato
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: JMM’s Vikas Kumar Munda wins Tamar seat by 30971 seats, defeats AJSU’s Ram Durlav Singh Munda
JMM’s Mathura Prasad Mahato defeats BJP’s Vikram Pandey by 25659 votes in Tundi
BJP’s Biranchi Narayan defeats Shweta Singh of Congress by 13, 313 votes in Bokaro.
Jharkhand Assembly Elections: BJP’s Nagendra Mahto defeats Vinod Kumar Singh of CPI-M by 14545 votes in Bagodar.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: BJP candidate Indrajit Mahato defeats Anand Mahato of MCC by 8253 votes in Sindari.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: Congress candidate Bhushan Bara defeats Shradhanand Besra of BJP by 285 votes in Simdega.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: BJP's Kedar Hazra defeats Manju Kumari of RJD by 18,175 votes in Jamua.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: BJP's Pushpa Devi defeats Vijay Kumar of RJD by 26,792 votes in Chattarpur.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: BJP's Amit Kumar Mandal defeats Sanjay Prasad Yadav of RJD by 4,512 votes in Godda.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: BJP's Raj Sinha defeats Mannan Mallick of Congress by 30,629 votes in Dhanbad.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: JMM's Sukhram Oraon defeats Laxman Giluwa of BJP by 12,234 votes in Chakradharpur.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: JMM's Lobin Hembrom defeats Surya Narayan Hansada of BJP by 17,924 votes in Borio.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: JMM's Hemant Soren defeats Lois Marandi of BJP by 13,188 votes in Dumka.
हम à¤à¤¾à¤°à¤–ंड की जनता दà¥à¤µà¤¾à¤°à¤¾ दिये गये जनादेश का समà¥à¤®à¤¾à¤¨ करते हैं।
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सà¤à¥€ कारà¥à¤¯à¤•à¤°à¥à¤¤à¤¾à¤“ं का उनके अथक परिशà¥à¤°à¤® के लिठअà¤à¤¿à¤¨à¤‚दन।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 23, 2019
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: BJP's Kushwaha Shashi Bhushan Mehta defeats Paritosh Soren of BJP by 37,190 votes in Panki.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: JMM's Nalin Soren defeats Devendra Kumar Singh of Congress by 29,471 votes in Shikaripara.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: Congress candidate Rajendra Pd. Singh defeated Yogeshwar Mahto of BJP by 25,172 votes in Bermo.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: Congress candidate Sona Ram Sinku defeated Mangal Singh Bobonga of JVM (P) by 11606 votes in Jagannathpur.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: Congress candidate Naman Bixal Kongari defeats Sujan Jojo of BJP by 12,338 votes in Kolebira.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: BJP's Amar Kumar Bauri defeats AJSU candidate Uma Kant Rajak by 9,211 votes in Chandankyari.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: JMM's Joba Majhi defeats BJP candidate Gurucharan Nayak by 16,019 votes in Manoharpur.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: JMM's Niral Purty defeats BJP candidate Bhupendra Pingua by 47,192 votes in Majhganon.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: JMM's Jagarnath Mahto defeats AJSU candidate Yashoda Devi by 34,288 votes in Dumri.
शेष ना तब था ना अब है à¤à¤¾à¤ˆà¥¤ बहà¥à¤¤-बहà¥à¤¤ बधाई।
आपने à¤à¤¾à¤°à¤–ंड में पà¥à¤°à¤šà¤¾à¤° वासà¥à¤¤à¥‡ ख़ूब घà¥à¤®à¤µà¤¾à¤¯à¤¾, हमने à¤à¤¾à¤°à¤–ंड के कण-कण को समà¤à¤•à¤° ही कहा था कि इनका ग़à¥à¤°à¥‚र खंड-खंड होगा। ख़à¥à¤¶à¥€ है à¤à¤¾à¤°à¤–ंडवासी आसमानी बनावटी मà¥à¤¦à¥à¤¦à¥‹à¤‚ को दरकिनार कर दैनिक जीवन को पà¥à¤°à¤à¤¾à¤µà¤¿à¤¤ करने वाले ज़मीनी मà¥à¤¦à¥à¤¦à¥‹à¤‚ पर अड़िग रहे। https://t.co/TGejEyijZE
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) December 23, 2019
I thanks all the alliance partners for placing their confidence on us: Hemant Soren.
A new era in Jharkhand has started today, says Hemant Soren.
I thanks Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad Yadav: Hemant Soren.
"Friends today are in the last leg of Jharkhand elections. Grateful to the people of Jharkhand for giving us the mandate": Hemant Soren
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: BJP's Nilkanth Singh Munda defeats JMM candidate Sushil Pahan by 26,327 votes in Khunti.
Jharkhand CM and BJP candidate from Jamshedpur East, Raghubar Das: I am hopeful that result will be in our favour. I am waiting for the final results. BJP will accept the people's mandate.
Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: BJP's Koche Munda defeats JMM candidate Sudeep Guria by 9,630 votes in Torpa.
Hemant Soren meets father Shibu Soren after poll results indicate big victory for JMM-Congress alliance.
Jharkhand elections held amid CAA and NRC protests, verdict in favour of citizens: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on poll trends
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) working president Hemant Soren meets his father and former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren at his residence in Ranchi.
#JharkhandAssemblyElections: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's (JMM) Hemant Soren at former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren's residence in Ranchi. pic.twitter.com/jABQz6DWvZ
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2019
Saryu Rai, independent candidate from Jamshedpur East, leading against CM Raghubar Das, on being asked if he'll go with grand alliance or BJP: I will remain as an independent candidate and support or oppose the policies of government on its merit.
Saryu Rai, independent candidate from Jamshedpur East, leading against CM Raghubar Das, on being asked if he'll go with grand alliance or BJP: I will remain as an independent candidate and support or oppose the policies of government on its merit. #JharkhandAssemblyPolls pic.twitter.com/vgCQD09Sz2
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2019
JMM (27) has now overtaken BJP (26) as the single largest party in trends. The JMM, Congress and RJD alliance is now leading in 44 seats.
Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das is now trailing behind Saryu Rai in Jamshedpur East seat. Rai's lead is currently just over 700. Congress candidate Gourav Ballav is in danger of losing his security opposite.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha working president Hemant Soren is now leading in Dumka seat against Lois Marandi of BJP by over 2,000 votes. Soren is also leading Barhait by over 8,000 votes.
HERE'S THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE SEATS:
| Seat | Winner/Leader | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Baghmara | DULU MAHATO | BJP |
| Bagodar | VINOD KUMAR SINGH | CPI (ML) |
| Baharagora | SAMIR Kr. MOHANTY | JMM |
| Barhait | HEMANT SOREN | JMM |
| Barhi | Umashankar Akela | Congress |
| Barkagaon | AMBA PRASAD | Congress |
| Barkatha | AMIT KUMAR YADAV | Independent |
| Bermo | Rajendra Pd. Singh | Congress |
| Bhawanathpur | Bhanu Pratap Shahi | BJP |
| Bishrampur | NARESH PRASAD SINGH | Independent |
| Bishunpur | CHAMRA LINDA | JMM |
| Bokaro | Shweta Singh | Congress |
| Borio | Lobin Hembrom | JMM |
| Chaibasa | DEEPAK BIRUA | JMM |
| Chakradharpur | SUKHRAM ORAON | JMM |
| Chandankyari | UMA KANT RAJAK | AJSU |
| Chatra | SATYANAND BHOKTA | RJD |
| Chattarpur | VIJAY KUMAR | RJD |
| Daltonganj | ALOK KUMAR CHAURASIYA | BJP |
| Deoghar | SURESH PASWAN | RJD |
| Dhanbad | MANNAN MALLICK | Congress |
| Dhanwar | BABULAL MARANDI | JVM(P) |
| Dumka | LOIS MARANDI | BJP |
| Dumri | JAGARNATH MAHTO | JMM |
| Gandey | JAI PRAKASH VERMA | BJP |
| Garhwa | MITHILESH KUMAR THAKUR | JMM |
| Ghatsila | Lakhan Chandra Mardi | BJP |
| Giridih | NIRBHAY KUMAR SHAHABADI | BJP |
| Godda | Sanjay Prasad Yadav | RJD |
| Gomia | Babita Devi | JMM |
| Gumla | BHUSHAN TIRKEY | JMM |
| Hatia | AJAY NATH SHAHDEO | Congress |
| Hazaribagh | Manish Jaiswal | BJP |
| Hussainabad | Kamlesh Kumar Singh | NCP |
| Ichagarh | SABITA MAHATO | JMM |
| Jagannathpur | SONA RAM SINKU | Congress |
| Jama | SURESH MURMU | BJP |
| Jamshedpur East | RAGHUBAR DAS | BJP |
| Jamshedpur West | Devendra Nath Singh | BJP |
| Jamtara | IRFAN ANSARI | Congress |
| Jamua | KEDAR HAZRA | BJP |
| Jarmundi | DEVENDRA KUNWAR | BJP |
| Jharia | PURNIMA NIRAJ SINGH | Congress |
| Jugsalai | MANGAL KALINDI | JMM |
| Kanke | SAMMARI LAL | BJP |
| Kharasawan | DASHRATH GAGRAI | JMM |
| Khijri | Ram Kumar Pahan | BJP |
| Khunti | NILKANTH SINGH MUNDA | BJP |
| Kodarma | Amitabh Kumar | RJD |
| Kolebira | NAMAN BIXAL KONGARI | Congress |
| Latehar | BAIDYANATH RAM | JMM |
| Littipara | Dinesh William Marandi | JMM |
| Lohardaga | RAMESHWAR ORAON | Congress |
| Madhupur | Raj Paliwar | BJP |
| Mahagama | ASHOK KUMAR | BJP |
| Maheshpur | STEPHEN MARANDI | JMM |
| Majhganon | NIRAL PURTY | JMM |
| Mandar | BANDHU TIRKEY | JVM(P) |
| Mandu | Nirmal Mahto | AJSU |
| Manika | RAMCHANDRA SINGH | Congress |
| Manoharpur | JOBA MAJHI | JMM |
| Nala | RABINDRA NATH MAHATO | JMM |
| Nirsa | APARNA SENGUPTA | BJP |
| Pakur | ALAMGIR ALAM | Congress |
| Panki | KUSHWAHA SHASHI BHUSHAN MEHTA | BJP |
| Poreyahat | PRADEEP YADAV | JVM(P) |
| Potka | Menka Sardar | BJP |
| Rajmahal | Anant Kumar Ojha | BJP |
| Ramgarh | RANANJAY KUMAR @ KUNTU BABU | BJP |
| Ranchi | Chandreshwar Prasad Singh | BJP |
| Saraikella | CHAMPAI SOREN | JMM |
| Sarath | Randhir Kumar Singh | BJP |
| Shikaripara | NALIN SOREN | JMM |
| Silli | SUDESH KUMAR MAHTO | AJSU |
| Simaria | Ramadev Singh Bhogta | JVM(P) |
| Simdega | SHRADHANAND BESRA | BJP |
| Sindri | INDRAJIT MAHATO | BJP |
| Sisai | JIGA SUSARAN HORO | JMM |
| Tamar | VIKAS KUMAR MUNDA | JMM |
| Torpa | KOCHE MUNDA | BJP |
| Tundi | MATHURA PRASAD MAHATO | JMM |
In Nirsa, BJP's Aparna Sengupta is leading Ashok Kumar Mandal of JMM by just 4 votes after the latest round of counting, according to EC.
Latest Trends (ECI Official Data) |
AJSU: 5
BJP: 28
CPI (MLL): 1
Independent: 1
Congress: 14
JMM: 22
RJD: 5
JVM (P): 4
NCP: 1
A look at the big names and how they are doing:
Raghubar Das - Jamshedpur East (BJP): Leads
Hemant Soren - Dumka (JMM): Trails
Babulal Marandi - Dhanwar (JVM): Leads
Sudesh Mahto - Silli (AJSU): Leads
Laxman Giluwa - Chakradharpur (BJP): Trails
Hemant Soren - Barhait (JMM): Leads
Saryu Rai - Jamshedpur East (IND): Trails
Gourav Vallabh - Jamshedpur East (CONG): Trails
Sukhdeo Bhagat - Lohardaga (BJP): Trails
Dinesh Oraon - Sisai (BJP): Trails
Nilkanth Singh Munda - Khunti (BJP): Leads
Lois Marandi - Dumka (BJP): Leads
Rameshwar Oraon - Lohardaga (CONG): Leads
Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu - Ghatsila (AJSU): Trails
CP Singh - Ranchi (BJP): Leads
Nalin Soren - Shikaripara (JMM): Leads
Bhanu Pratap Sahi - Bhawanathpur (BJP): Leads
Election Commission of India (ECI) is now showing trends for all 81 seats.
Latest Trends (ECI Official Data)
JMM: 25
Congress: 13
RJD: 5
BJP: 27
AJSU: 3
JVM(P): 4
BSP: 1
NCP: 1
CPI (MLL): 1
Independent: 1
According to trends, the JMM, Congress and RJD combine is now leading in 41 seats- the majority mark in the assembly.
Some Trends:
CM Raghubar Das is leading Saryu Rai of JDU by just 300 votes in Jamshedpur seat.
Former chief minister and JVM (P) chief Babulal Marandi leads in Dhanwar seat.
Sanjay Prasad Yadav of RJD leads over BJP's Amit Kumar Mandal by 3,315 votes in Godda seat.
BJP's Menka Sardar leads over Sanjib Sardar of JMM by 5,144 votes in Potka seat.
ECI Official Trends (46 seats): BJP leading on 17 seats, Congress on 7, JMM on 13, RJD on 3, AJSU and BSP on 2 seats each & CPI (ML) on 1.
JMM working president Hemant Soren is trailing behind Lois Marandi of BJP in Dumka.
Dinesh Oraon of BJP is trailing from Sisai. Rameshwar Oraon of INC is leading Sukhdev Bhagat of BJP from Lohardaga seat.
There are reports suggesting that BJP has contacted AJSU leader Sudesh Mahto and JVM chief Babulal Marandi.
The first official trend from Election Commission is in- All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) candidate Lambodar Mahto leading from Gomia seat.
At 9 AM, with trends in for 80 seats out of 81, BJP was leading in 34 seats, Congress was ahead in 10, JMM in 20, RJD in 3, AJSU in 7, JVM 3 and others in 3 seats. AJSU, former partner of BJP, may hold the key to power in the state.
JMM working president Hemant Soren leads over state Welfare (Women & Child Development and Minority Affairs) Minister Lois Marandi after counting of postal ballots in Dumka seat.
AJSU leader Sudesh Mahto is leading from Silli seat.
Hemant Soren is leading from both Dumka and Barheat seats while Babulal Marandi is leading in Dhanwar seat.
Early Trends: BJP is leading in 21, JMM+Congress+RJD combine is ahead in 39 seats, JVM 2, AJSU 4 and Others are leading in 2 seats.
So far, very early trends for 29 seats have come in- with BJP leading in 10, JMM 11, Congress 2, JVM 3, AJSU 3
The counting of votes has started and very early trends are coming in very fast.
Jharkhand: Visuals from a counting centre in Dumka.
Jharkhand: Counting of votes for #JharkhandAssemblyPolls to take place today. Visuals from a counting centre in Dumka. pic.twitter.com/Sxe1eQpbeB
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2019
The most prominent candidates in the election are Chief Minister Raghubar Das, his predecessor Hemant Soren, All Jharkhand Students Union president Sudesh Mahto and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha's Babulal Marandi.
The poll of exit polls has predicted a definite advantage for the Congress-JMM-RJD alliance, with two of them even claiming that it will cross the majority mark of 41 on its own.
For the first time since Jharkhand’s creation 19 years ago, assembly elections to all the 81 seats passed off without violence by Maoists. The approximate voter turnout for all the 81 assembly constituencies across the five phases is 65.17 per cent, compared to the 66.53 per cent recorded in the 2014 elections.
The counting will start in all the 24 district headquarters of Jharkhand at 8 am, and the results are expected to emerge by the afternoon. Elections were conducted in 81 assembly seats of the state in five phases from November 30 to December 20.
