Wed Nov 13 12:36:37 UTC 2024: ## Jharkhand By-Elections Witness High Voter Turnout Amid Festive Mood

Jharkhand recorded a voter turnout of 64.86% by 5 PM today in the by-elections for 43 assembly seats. The polls were marked by a festive atmosphere and enthusiastic participation across all districts, including tribal areas and those affected by Left Wing Extremism, the Election Commission reported.

These by-elections, taking place across 10 states and Kerala’s Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, are crucial for political parties vying for control in various regions. The contest includes 31 assembly seats, with 4 reserved for Scheduled Castes and 6 for Scheduled Tribes.

The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has fielded 23 candidates, its allies Congress 17, and Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal 5. The Opposition BJP has put up 36 candidates, Janata Dal United (JDU) 2, and Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party 7.

Notable candidates include former Chief Minister Champai Soren and his son Babulal Soren, ex-Chief Minister Arjun Munda’s wife Meera Munda, Madhu Koda’s wife Geeta Koda, and Raghuvar Das’s daughter-in-law Purnima Sahu.

The JMM-led coalition hopes to secure a second term based on its welfare schemes like the Maiyan Samman Yojana. The NDA aims to counter this by promising to curb infiltration and corruption, citing the arrest of Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a corruption case.

The BJP has outlined its key promises, including driving out infiltrators, implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), providing Rs 2,100 per month to every woman, and creating 5 lakh employment opportunities for the youth.

The NDA conducted a high-voltage campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with prominent leaders like Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma holding numerous rallies.

In 2019, the JMM won 30 seats and the BJP secured 25, down from 37 in 2014. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance clinched a comfortable majority with 47 seats.

The second phase of these by-elections will be held on November 20, with the vote counting scheduled for November 23.

Read More