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The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the ruling party in Jharkhand, has leveled serious accusations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that it is working in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming state assembly elections. The JMM also accused the BJP-led central government of misusing central agencies for political gain. These accusations highlight the growing tensions between the ruling JMM and the opposition BJP in the run-up to the elections.
The JMM's accusations stem from the ECI's decision to hold the elections in two phases, with polling scheduled for November 13 and 20. JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya claimed that the two-phase schedule is part of a “game plan” designed to benefit the BJP. He alleged that the ECI is strategically scheduling polling dates in certain constituencies to allow top BJP leaders, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to hold meetings close to polling day and influence voters in neighboring constituencies. Bhattacharya specifically pointed to the Mandu constituency in Hazaribag, where polling is scheduled for the second phase, allowing BJP leaders to campaign in nearby constituencies. He also highlighted the Khijri and Silli constituencies in Ranchi, suggesting that the second-phase polling in these areas is part of a similar strategy.
The BJP, however, refuted these accusations, dismissing them as mere attempts by the JMM to divert attention from its own anxieties about the upcoming elections. The saffron party asserted that the JMM is making such allegations out of fear of losing the elections. With the seat-sharing arrangements within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) almost finalized, the BJP is confident of putting up a strong fight in the upcoming elections. The party has announced that it will contest the majority of the seats, with the Sudesh Mahto-led AJSU Party and the JD(U) contesting a limited number of seats. Negotiations regarding seat-sharing with the LJP (Ram Vilas) are ongoing. The BJP's confidence stems from its strong organizational structure in Jharkhand and its ability to mobilize voters based on national issues and development narratives.
The JMM, on the other hand, is relying on its strong regional base and its alliance with the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to counter the BJP's challenge. The ruling party is aiming to retain power by highlighting its achievements in the state, including its focus on development and social welfare schemes. The upcoming elections will be a crucial test for both the JMM and the BJP, with each party striving to secure a majority in the 81-member assembly. The accusations and counter-accusations exchanged by the two parties reflect the intense political competition in Jharkhand, where the stakes are high and the outcome of the elections will have significant implications for the future of the state.