As Jharkhand prepares for its crucial Assembly elections, the Congress party has unveiled its first list of 21 candidates, igniting a competitive atmosphere ahead of the polls scheduled for November 13 and 20. The results will be declared on November 23. This announcement comes amid fierce competition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, who are determined to gain ground in the state.
Notable candidates from the Congress list include Ajoy Kumar, a senior party leader and former Lok Sabha MP, who will contest from Jamshedpur East. Kumar, who previously served as the party’s in-charge for Tripura, Odisha, and Nagaland, expressed confidence in his chances, stating, “The Congress is committed to the welfare of Jharkhand’s people, and I aim to address their concerns.”
Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon, a prominent figure in the Congress, has been nominated for the Lohardaga seat, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes. Oraon, a former Jharkhand Congress chief, emphasized the party’s focus on development and social justice, saying, “Our aim is to ensure that every citizen benefits from the state’s resources.”
Also on the list is incumbent MLA Shipli Neha Tirkey, contesting from the Mandar constituency. Her father, Bandhu Tirkey, chairs the Congress’s manifesto committee for Jharkhand, highlighting the party’s emphasis on family involvement in leadership roles. Tirkey noted, “I will continue to work tirelessly for the development of my constituency and stand firm against the challenges posed by our opponents.”
The Congress party is currently in an alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), sharing power in the state. In contrast, the BJP recently released its own list of 66 candidates, seeking to reclaim control over Jharkhand, where it is contesting 68 out of 81 seats, partnering with regional parties like the AJSU and JDU.
As the election date approaches, both parties are intensifying their campaigns, with leaders emphasizing their commitment to addressing local issues and promoting sustainable development in Jharkhand.
