Prateeksha Thakur
Jharkhand’s political landscape is bracing for change as the state heads into the first phase of the 2024 Assembly elections on November 13, with 43 of the total 81 assembly seats up for grabs. Candidates from major parties are rallying for votes in this high-stakes election, with all eyes on the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and its main rivals, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition alliance INDIA.
JMM, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, is fielding a formidable roster of 41 candidates, including several incumbents. Soren himself is contesting from Barhait, aiming for another term as chief minister. His family’s political presence is strong, with his wife Kalpana Soren running in Gandey and his brother Basant Soren contesting in Dumka. Other prominent JMM candidates include Chamra Linda from Bishunpur, Sukhram Oraon from Chakradharpur, and Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji, who is contesting in Ranchi.
The BJP, positioned as the main opposition, is contesting 68 seats and featuring leaders like former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, who is running from Dhanwar. The party seeks to capitalize on its momentum from recent Lok Sabha successes. Champai Soren, a former chief minister and recent BJP recruit, is contesting in Seraikella, hoping to leverage his popularity among tribal voters. In Jaganathpur, Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, will face Congress’s Sona Ram Sinku in a closely watched race.
The Indian National Congress (INC), part of the INDIA alliance, has so far announced 21 candidates for 30 contested seats, including Rameshwar Oraon, who is running from Lohardaga. In Jamshedpur West, Health Minister Banna Gupta will face a tough contest against Saryu Roy from Janata Dal (United), who famously defeated ex-CM Raghubar Das in 2019.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), also a member of the INDIA alliance, has fielded six candidates, with Tejashwi Yadav expressing confidence in the coalition’s unity. RJD candidates will focus on seats where their support base is strong, aiming to bolster the alliance’s performance.
NI Bureau
Aniket Sardhana
