Ranchi: In the lead-up to the Jharkhand assembly elections, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) has finalized its seat-sharing formula, confirming that Hemant Soren will remain the Chief Ministerial candidate. The ruling coalition in Jharkhand, led by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), includes Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and CPI(ML). After overcoming early disagreements, all parties are now aligned for the upcoming polls, which will take place in two phases, on November 13 and 20, 2024.
The JMM will contest 41 seats, Congress 30, RJD 6, and CPI(ML) 4. This consensus came despite earlier cracks in the alliance when Soren unilaterally declared that the JMM and Congress would contest 70 of the total 81 seats. The seat allocation for RJD and CPI(ML) was revised after discussions. Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD leader, confirmed the resolution, asserting that the alliance stands united in its goal to retain power in the state.
Yadav reiterated that the alliance’s priorities are development, social harmony, and defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which ruled Jharkhand for much of its history. He said, “The BJP has ruined Jharkhand. The people will give them a befitting reply. We are confident that Hemant Soren will be the Chief Minister again.” He also highlighted the INDIA bloc’s commitment to secularism and inclusive governance.
Congress released its first list of candidates for 21 seats, while the RJD and CPI(ML) also began declaring their nominees. The RJD will contest six seats and has already announced candidates for key constituencies, including Deoghar and Koderma. CPI(ML) named its candidates for Nirsa, Dhanwar, and Sindri, important constituencies in the state’s political landscape.
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This election marks the continuation of the alliance formed in 2019, which led to a majority victory for the JMM-led coalition, bringing an end to the BJP’s dominance in the state. In the last election, JMM secured 30 seats, Congress 16, and RJD one seat. This time, the alliance is looking to repeat its success by capitalizing on anti-BJP sentiment, focusing on social justice, economic growth, and preserving the state’s tribal identity.
The BJP, in the opposition, is contesting in alliance with the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU). The BJP has accused the ruling coalition of failing to deliver on development and infrastructure promises, but the INDIA bloc is banking on its social welfare programs and pro-reservation stance to win over the electorate.
As nominations are being filed and campaign strategies roll out, the election is shaping up to be a critical test for both the ruling coalition and the BJP-led opposition in one of India’s most politically significant states.
