The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections. The list, which includes 66 candidates, features prominent political figures such as former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi and two former members of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Champai Soren and Sita Soren, who have switched sides to join the BJP.
This move by the BJP indicates their intention to strengthen their position in the state by bringing experienced politicians into the fold.
Babulal Marandi, a key figure in Jharkhand's political landscape, will contest from the Dhanwar constituency. Marandi, known for his influence in the region, has been a significant player in the state's politics and his candidacy is expected to draw attention during the elections.
Similarly, Champai Soren will represent Saraikela, a constituency he is familiar with, and Sita Soren has been fielded from Jamtara, another crucial seat. Their inclusion in the list showcases the BJP’s strategy to field experienced and prominent candidates to capture important constituencies in Jharkhand.
Alongside these notable candidates, the BJP has named other prominent figures in the state. Neera Yadav will contest from Kodarma, Muniya Devi from Gandey, Tara Devi from Sindri, and Apnarna Sengupta from Nirsa.
In Jharia, Ragini Singh has been chosen as the party's candidate, while Geeta Balmuchu will represent Chaibasa, and Pushpa Devi Bhuiyan will contest from Chhatarpur. These selections show the party’s aim to cover a wide range of constituencies with strong contenders, focusing on both experienced politicians and newer faces.
Jharkhand is gearing up for elections to its 81-member Assembly, which will be held in two phases. The first phase will take place on November 13, followed by the second phase on November 20.
The votes will be counted on November 23. This election is seen as crucial for both the BJP and the opposition parties, as it could shift the balance of power in the state.
The BJP’s alliance, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has also announced its seat-sharing formula for the elections. According to the agreement, the BJP will contest 68 seats, while the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) will contest 10 seats.
The Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) will contest on two seats, and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will field a candidate in one seat. This distribution of seats reflects the NDA’s effort to cover a broad spectrum of voters in the state, as they aim to strengthen their hold on Jharkhand’s political scenario.
In the last Jharkhand Assembly elections held in 2019, the JMM-led alliance won a majority, securing 47 seats. Of these, 30 were won by the JMM, while Congress secured 16 seats. The BJP had to settle for 25 seats, a result that marked a significant setback for the party in the state. Since then, the political landscape in Jharkhand has evolved. Currently, the state assembly has 74 active members, with the JMM-led alliance holding 44 seats.
However, the upcoming elections may reshape the assembly’s composition, especially with the BJP aiming to reclaim lost ground. Several JMM legislators have moved to different roles since the 2019 elections, creating opportunities for the BJP.
Nalin Soren and Joba Majhi, two JMM legislators, are now members of Parliament, and Jama MLA Sita Soren resigned to run for the Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket. These developments indicate that the political dynamics in the state are fluid and could change rapidly as the election date approaches.
For the BJP, this election represents a chance to reclaim leadership in Jharkhand, a state where they once held power. The party's list of candidates suggests that they are strategically positioning themselves by fielding experienced politicians and targeting key constituencies.
The inclusion of former JMM members, along with a diverse group of candidates, shows that the BJP is aiming for a comprehensive electoral strategy that addresses both regional and statewide concerns.
Follow us
