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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its initial slate of candidates for the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, marking a significant step in the political landscape of the state. The announcement, made on Saturday, October 19, 2024, included the names of 66 contenders, setting the stage for a fierce electoral battle.
Among the prominent figures included in the list is Sita Murmu Soren, the daughter-in-law of JMM founder Shibu Soren. Notably, Sita Murmu Soren previously contested the Lok Sabha elections from Dumka under the BJP banner but faced defeat. However, her inclusion in the BJP's list for the Assembly elections signifies the party's strategic maneuverings to attract a diverse range of voters.
Adding to the intrigue of the election, Meera Munda, the wife of former Union Minister Arjun Munda, has been given a ticket from Potka. This development comes after Arjun Munda suffered a defeat in the Khunti Lok Sabha seat against Congress' candidate Kalicharan Munda in the recent Lok Sabha elections. The decision to field Meera Munda is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to capitalize on her political influence and garner support in the region.
The BJP's list also features several other notable figures, including Babulal Marandi, the state unit president, who retained his seat from Dhanwar. Senior leader C.P. Singh will contest from Ranchi, while Amar Kumar Bauri, Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, will defend his seat from Chandankiyari.
The BJP, as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has secured 68 seats for the upcoming elections. The All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) has been allotted 10 seats, while the Janata Dal (United) will contest on two seats. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan has been given one seat. The remaining two seats are expected to be announced at a later stage.
This announcement comes shortly after Chief Minister Hemant Soren revealed the seat-sharing arrangement for the Congress and the ruling JMM, which will contest 70 out of the 81 Assembly seats. The remaining 11 seats will be contested by their allies, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Left. The BJP's strategy appears focused on solidifying its base and gaining a competitive edge in the upcoming elections.
The BJP's list of candidates also includes Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former CM and Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, who will contest from Jamshedpur East. Amit Yadav, who joined the BJP prior to the announcement of the election, has been nominated as a candidate from Barkatha. Former Congress leader Manju Devi, who switched allegiances to the BJP before the elections, will contest from Jamua.
The BJP has fielded 12 women candidates in its initial list, including Geeta Koda, the wife of former Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda, who will contest from Jagannathpur. The party has yet to announce its candidates for the Barhait Assembly constituency, currently represented by CM Hemant Soren, and Tundi, occupied by the JMM. Notably, three sitting MLAs, Kishun Kumar Das from Simariya, Indrajeet Mahato from Sindri, and Samri Lal from Kanke, have been excluded from the BJP's list.
The BJP's candidate selection and seat-sharing arrangement have set the stage for an intense electoral battle in Jharkhand. The party's strategic choices, including the fielding of high-profile candidates and the inclusion of diverse voices, suggest a concerted effort to win over voters in the state. The upcoming elections will witness a clash of ideologies and strategies, as parties strive to secure their positions in the state's political landscape.
Source: JMM founder’s daughter-in-law Sita Murmu Soren gets place in BJP’s first list