Jharkhand Exit polls: Here are the key constituencies in the BJP-JMM poll battle

Ahe of State Assembly poll results in Jharkhand on Monday, Republic 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.

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Here are key constituencies:

Jamshedpur East: most contentious seat held by CM Raghubar Das is being challenged by BJP rebel and former minister Saryu Rai, who is contesting as an independent candidate. Congress has fielded party spokesperson Gaurav Vallabh from constituency. Das, who is eyeing his 6th consecutive win faces a tough challenge from his own former cabinet minister. Rai was instrumental in exposing former Bihar CM Lalu Yav in fodder scam and exposed multi-crore  Iron Ore Mines allotment scam under former Jharkhand CM Mhu Koda. This constituency has been held by Raghubar Das since 1995.

Chakrharpur: constituency which is reserved for Scheduled tribes is a mineral-rich constituency. BJP state president Laxman Gilua who lost Lok Sabha polls in May 2019 inspite of larger mandate BJP won, faces a tough battle against JMM incumbent  Shashihbushan Sam and AJSU in fray. Moreover, Gilua is unpopular as he tried to amend Chhotanagpur and Santhal Pargana tenancy Acts and is against Pathalgi issue.

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Litipara: A JMM bastion in Santhal Pargana region witnessed a poll battle between incumbent JMM MLA Simon Marandi's son Dinesh William and BJP's Daniyal Kisku. JMM is projected to retain this seat as party has registered three consecutive wins in 2005, 2009 and 2014. seat which falls under Pakur district is home to Santhal and Paharia tribes - making JMM automatic favourite.

Baghmara: Incumbent BJP MLA Dulu Mahto is favoured candidate inspite of being convicted by a local court and sentenced to 18 months of jail for helping a person in fleeing from jail. He faces Congress' Jaleshwar Mahato who h won constituency on a JD(U) ticket. Dulu Mahto has held unreserved seat since 2009.

Jharia: seat is witness to a bloody family feud between Ragini Singh, wife of incumbent MLA Sanjeev Singh and her sister-in-law Purnima Singh. incumbent MLA Sanjeev Singh is being tried for killing his political rival and cousin Niraj Singh. Niraj's widow Purnima has been minated on a Congress ticket for constituency which has a history of gun violence. political battlefield seat is a BJP bastion and has been held by saffron party since 2004.

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Jharkhand Exit poll predictions:

UPA is projected to win 37-46 seats defeating BJP which is projected to win only 22-30 seats. Meanwhile, AJSU is projected to win 3-5 seats, JVM is projected to win 3-4 seats. Or parties including  LJP, AJSU, JVM, CPI(M) are set to win 5-7 seats. 

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