JMM-Congress combine captures power in Jharkhand, BJP loses
Updated by admin on
Monday, December 23, 2019 08:09 PM IST
Ranchi:
The ruling BJP was ousted from power in Jharkhand, as the JMM-Congress-RJD combine swept the Assembly elections, leading in 47 of the 81 seats that went to the polls in December 2019. Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukthi Morcha is expected to form a coalition government with the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal.
When results began trickling in on December 23 morning, it was expected to be a neck-and-neck race as leads kept changing hands from the ruling party to the opposition. After a few hours, it was clear that the JMM-led alliance had established an unstoppable lead, and marched to victory by afternoon. Opposition. According to latest reports,
JMM had won in 13 seats, its allies Congress in eight seats (total 21 seats) as against 13 of the BJP. The opposition alliance was leading in 26 other seats, and the BJP in 12 other seats. As per present indications, the JMM-led combine would win 47 seats and the BJP 25 seats in the 81-member Assembly.
The JVM and the AJSU could win three and two seats respectively. It was earlier expected that they could hold the key to government formation, with both the BJP High Command and the Congress reportedly in touch with these two minor parties, in an attempt to capture power in the event of a hung Assembly. However, the clear verdict in favour of the JMM-Congress alliance has put paid to their hopes of emerging as kingmakers.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das, seeking a second term, has had to bow out of office. He also lost the Jamshedpur seat to Independent Saryu Roy.
Hemant Soren, leader of JMM and a chief ministerial aspirant, is expected to discuss government formation with leaders of the Congress and RJD on December 24.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hailed the Jharkhand verdict as the voice of the people against attempts by the BJP government at the Centre to destroy the Constitution and divide the country on religious lines. He said the attempts of PM Narendra Modi to destroy the Indian economy had been exposed by the people of Jharkhand.
Former chief minister Babulal Marandi, leader of BVM and Sudesh Mahto of AJSU may have to sit in the opposition.
The main opposition parties, the Jharkhand Mukthi Morcha (JMM), the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have managed to stitch an alliance which has shaken the ruling BJP.
