The elections in Jharkhand have concluded Exit polls indicate a likely victory for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Jharkhand assembly elections. According to Matrize, the NDA is expected to secure 42-47 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) may win 25-30 seats in the 81-seat assembly. Peoples Pulse exit poll forecasts the NDA winning 44-53 seats, with the INDIA bloc (Grand Alliance) gaining 25-37. Similarly, the Times Now-JVC exit poll projects 40-44 seats for the NDA and 30-40 for the Mahagathbandhan.
Seat Allocation Among Contesting Parties
The BJP contested 68 seats, supported by its allies: All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) with 10 seats, Janata Dal (United) with 2, and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) with 1. The opposition Grand Alliance is led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which fielded candidates for 41 seats, while the Congress contested 30, Rashtriya Janata Dal 6, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) 4.
Campaign Themes and Key Issues
The election witnessed an intense campaign marked by sharp attacks and key electoral promises. The NDA criticized the JMM-led coalition for alleged corruption and infiltration from Bangladesh. They also targeted Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is currently out on bail in a money-laundering case linked to a land scam, and campaigned strongly on Hindutva. Another major issue raised by the BJP was the alleged insult to tribal sentiments by the JMM over the appointment of “temporary” Chief Minister Champai Soren, who later joined the BJP and is contesting the election.
On the other hand, the JMM-led alliance focused on welfare schemes and accused the BJP of spending ₹500 crore on “malicious campaigns” against a “tribal leader.”
Star Campaigners Take Center Stage
The BJP’s campaign was powered by senior leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President JP Nadda, and several state chief ministers. They launched a series of attacks on Hemant Soren, highlighting his past jail term and alleged failures in governance. The high-decibel campaigning reflected the fierce competition between the two major alliances.
Also Read: Scam Alert! Retirement Age Increased To 62? PIB Exposes Fake News-How Can You Check Fact?