Sat Nov 23 03:22:51 UTC 2024: ## Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: Close Contest Between NDA and Congress-JMM Alliance

**Ranchi, November 23, 2024:** The counting of votes for the Jharkhand Assembly elections is underway, with a close contest emerging between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) alliance. Postal ballots are being counted first, followed by Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Early trends indicate a neck-and-neck race. While initial reports showed BJP alliance leading in 16 seats and Congress-JMM in 12, later trends showed BJP alliance ahead in 22 seats and Congress-JMM in 21 out of 43 seats for which trends are available. The final results are expected to be close, with several seats showing a very tight margin. Prominent leaders like Hemant Soren (Barhet) and Champai Soren (Saraikela) are currently leading in their respective constituencies.

The NDA, comprising BJP (68 seats contested), AJSU (10), and JD(U) (2), is vying for power against the INDIA alliance, consisting of JMM (43), Congress (30), RJD (7), and CPIM (4). BJP candidate Champai Soren expressed confidence in a BJP-NDA victory and government formation.

Exit polls offered varied predictions. MATRIZE predicted 42-47 seats for the BJP alliance and 25-30 for the Congress alliance. AXIS MY INDIA, however, predicted a landslide victory for the Congress alliance (53 seats) against the BJP alliance (25 seats). C-Voter showed a closer contest, with 34 seats for the BJP alliance and 26 for the Congress-JMM alliance. Many exit polls highlighted around 20 closely contested seats that could determine the final outcome.

JMM candidate Mahua Maji expressed confidence in a JMM victory and the return of Hemant Soren as Chief Minister. Conversely, Babulal Marandi stated he is not in the race for Chief Minister, claiming the NDA will win over 51 seats.

The election took place in two phases on November 13th and 20th, with voter turnout exceeding 66% and 68% respectively. The 2019 elections saw a JMM-Congress-RJD alliance government formed under Hemant Soren. This year’s election is crucial, determining whether Soren will retain power or if the NDA can stage a comeback. The Soren family has four members contesting the elections. The final results are expected later today.

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