Jharkhand Assembly results: Herculean battle for BJP to retain power?

As vote-counting for Jharkhand assembly election begins on Monday, fate of incumbent Chief Minister Raghubar Das is at stake due to fierce competition by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) led alliance comprising of Congress and Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD).

RE | Jharkhand Election Results: Counting For 81 Assembly Seats Begins At 8 Am

As per exit polls, ruling BJP seems to fall short of half-way mark in 81-seat Assembly. Republic Jan Ki Baat Exit Polls have predicted BJP failing to cross halfway mark in 81-seat Assembly. Congress-JMM-RJD (UPA) alliance is predicted to have an edge over incumbent BJP government. incumbent BJP is facing a tough fight in following key constituencies - Jamshedpur East, Chakrharpur, Litipara,  Baghmara, and Jharia.

Crucial election for BJP after Maharashtra fiasco

After Maharashtra and Haryana, Jharkhand is third BJP ruled state that went to polls this year. BJP despite emerging largest party couldn’t retain power in Maharashtra after ally Shiv Sena switching allegiance and forming a post-poll alliance between with NCP & Congress; also BJP could retrain Haryana only with help of a post-poll alliance with Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), hence Jharkhand election becomes crucial for BJP. incumbent party is fighting a lone battle against Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance which includes Congress and  Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). 

RE | Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: BJP Faces Congress-JMM With AJSU, JVM In Fray

Raghubar Das took oath as Chief Minister in 2014 after BJP won 37 seats and stitched an alliance with AJSU, which h won 5 seats. However, AJSU broke ties with BJP and is contesting current elections solo. 

Under leership of JMM chief Hemant Soren, Congress and RJD have come toger to oust BJP from power. While JMM has fielded candidates in 43 seats, Congress and RJD are fighting for 31 and seven seats, respectively. ruling party has fielded its candidates in 79 out of 81 seats. 

RE | Jharkhand Exit Polls: Here Are Key Constituencies In BJP-JMM Poll Battle

In case of a hung Assembly, AJSU and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha -Prajatantrik could be calling shots. According to Election Commission of India, approximate voter turut for all 81 Assembly constituencies across five phases was 65.17 percent as compared to 66.53 percent recorded in 2014 elections.

(With ANI inputs)

RE | Jharkhand Exit Polls: JMM-Cong Alliance Projected To Have An Edge Over Incumbent BJP