J'khand Assembly Polls Results LIVE: INDI Takes Lead in Early Trends; Voting Underway for 81 Seats

Kalpana Soren, wife of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren & JMM candidate for Gandey assembly is trailing by a margin of 3128 votes, after round 1/21 of counting as per the latest EC data.

According to the latest trends by the Election Commission, the Mahagathbandhan is leading at 43 seats (JMM 24, Congress 11, RJD 6, CPI(ML)(L) (2), while the NDA leading on 26 seats (BJP 24, AJSUP 1, JDU 1).

According to the initial trends by the Election Commission, the 'Mahagathbandhan' is leading on 15 seats (JMM 5, Congress 5, RJD 3, CPI(ML)(L) (2).  

Meanwhile, the NDA leading on 10 seats (BJP 7, AJSUP 3). Furthermore, JLKM leading on 1, Others and Independent on 1
 

Speaking ahead of vote counting, BJP Jharkhand chief  Marandi said, "Look, regarding the government, we had some regrets, but after the elections, based on the feedback we received from grassroots-level workers, I can say with confidence that this time the BJP and the NDA alliance will secure 51-plus seats in Jharkhand, and the NDA will form the government here."

"When asked about factors that might have worked in their favour, Marandi pointed to corruption and governance issues under the Hemant Soren-led government. "One major factor was corruption, which plagued people from top to bottom. Law and order had deteriorated, development work wasn't happening, and on top of that, the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators. The Hemant government was settling them here, making their ration cards, Aadhaar cards, linking them to voter lists, and even getting land registered in their names. Naturally, people were angry about all this, and that is one of the main reasons", he told ANI.

As the counting of votes is underway across Jharkhand, early trends show, NDA leading at 26 seats, while the JMM-headed INDIA bloc has 16 seats.

As per the ECI's early trends, BJP leader Champai Soren is leading from Saraikela.

As the counting of votes is underway across Jharkhand, BJP leader Zafar Islam said,"...In Jharkhand, we will get a winning half-century..."

Speaking to ANI ahead of the counting of votes, BJP candidate from Saraikela, Champai Soren, "BJP is going to win, there is no doubt. BJP-NDA is going to form the government...People have voted in favour of the BJP. The biggest issue in Jharkhand has been the Bangladeshi infiltrators...The population of Bangladeshi infiltrators is increasing rapidly. In this election, BJP is going to form the government, it will be clear in the next 1-1.5 hours..."

On counting for the Jharkhand election 2024, Congress leader Rakesh Sinha said, "The results will come in our favour. People have shown their support, love and blessings to the candidates of 'Mahaghathbandhan'. The public in Jharkhand has said that they are not going to accept people like those who raise slogans like 'Batoge toh Katoge'...BJP used to claim in the Lok Sabha that they will get 400 seats. The situation is that the government is running on crutches. BJP will be reduced from 7-8 seats in Jharkhand. There will be no need for a resort. This soil of Jharkhand is very hard and the BJP has been constantly trying to demolish this soil through 'Operation Lotus', ED, Income Tax and CBI..."

Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot refuted the exit polls prediction of a win for the BJP-led NDA in Jharkhand and Maharashtra.

"If the exit polls are speaking against us, they were in our favour in Haryana. When the results start coming, we will know the situation. We are fully confident that the people have given their blessings to the India block. INDIA Bloc fought the elections together and the atmosphere is in our favour," he said.

"Our effort is to maintain harmony in democracy but the party in power always polarises. They create an environment of unrest," he added.

The counting of votes begins across Jharkhand for all 81 assembly seats.

The Matrize exit poll predicted a clear victory for the NDA with 45 seats. INDI, on the other hand, is expected to get 32 seats. 

Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a post on X exuded his confidence in the JMM-led alliance victory's saying, "Tomorrow is a historic day of counting of votes for Jharkhand assembly elections. Tomorrow belongs to Jharkhand, to the people of Jharkhand, to Abua Dishom-Abua Raj. An appeal to all the hardworking colleagues of JMM and INDIA alliance is that tomorrow we have to be alert and vigilant and participate in the entire counting process at our respective counting centres. We have to stay firm until we get the certificate of victory."

"Best wishes to all of you for the counting of votes tomorrow and Johar. Hail Jharkhand!  Jharkhand is winning!" he added. 

The upcoming results of the Jharkhand assembly polls feature several high-profile battles including Chief Minister Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) defending his Barhait seat, while BJP's Babulal Marandi contests from Dhanwar. JMM's Rabindra Nath Mahato aims to retain Nala. Other notable contenders include Bebi Devi (Dumri), Hafizul Ansari (Madhupur), Deepika Pandey Singh (Mahagama), Dr. Irfan Ansari (Jamtara), and Sita Soren (JMM) in Jamtara. Badal Patralekh is competing in Jarmundi, and Kalpana Soren in Gande, representing the JMM.

The Election Commission of India is all set to begin counting votes for the Jharkhand assembly polls today (Saturday) at 8 am, across the state. Both the JMM-led alliance and the BJP-led NDA are hopeful of victory, with exit polls predicting a possible win for the BJP.