Two former CM’s in BJP's first list of 66 candidates for upcoming Jharkhand assembly polls

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Oct 19 released the first list of 66 candidates for the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections, out of 68 it plans to contest. Two former chief ministers — Babulal Marandi and Champai Soren — will contest from the Dhanwar and Saraikela segments respectively, as per the list.

Elections to the 81-member Jharkhand assembly are scheduled to be held in two phases — Nov 13 and 20. The counting of the votes will be conducted on Nov 23.

Among prominent women faces, the BJP has nominated Geeta Koda, wife of former chief minister Madhu Koda, from the Jaganathpur assembly segment, Geeta Balmuchu from Chaibasa, and Meera Munda from Potka.

Sita Soren —daughter-in-law of Shibu Soren, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief has been fielded from Jamtara, and Neera Yadav will be contesting from Kodarma. In Gandey segment, Muniya Devi will be the BJP candidate, and Tara Devi will contest from the Sindri segment. Also, among the woman candidates — Ragini Singh will represent the party in Jharia, and Pushpa Devi Bhuiyan will contest from Chhatarpur.

From the Nirsa segment, the BJP has fielded Apnarna Sengupta.

On Oct 18, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) announced its seat-sharing formula. The BJP will be contesting polls in 68 assembly constituencies, AJSU will contest on 10 seats, and Janata Dal (United) (JD (U) will contest on two seats, and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on one seat.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Oct 18 announced that the India alliance will contest the upcoming assembly polls together, with Congress, and JMM. He said the alliance will field candidates in 70 out of the 81 seats.

Seat-sharing discussions are ongoing with alliance partners, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Left parties, for the remaining 11 seats, Soren said.

In the 2019 state assembly polls, the JMM-led alliance with Congress won 47 seats —JMM won 31. The BJP secured 25 seats, while Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) (JVM-P) won 3, and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) secured 2 seats.

Currently, the state assembly has 74 members, with the JMM-led alliance holding 44 seats. Two JMM legislators, Nalin Soren, and Joba Majhi, are now members of Parliament. Jama Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sita Soren resigned to run in the Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket.