Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 23 (HBTV): The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led Mahagathbandhan has secured a lead in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, crossing the halfway mark with leads on 50 of the state’s 81 seats as of 10:40 am, according to the Election Commission of India.

The JMM is leading on 30 seats, followed by Congress on 14, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on five, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) [CPI(ML)(L)] on one.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trailing with leads on 28 seats. Among its allies, the BJP is leading on 24, while the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(RV)] have each taken one seat.

Notably, the newly formed Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) is leading in two constituencies—Jugsalai and Dumri—while an independent candidate has taken the lead in Panki.

The first phase of polling, held on November 13, covered 43 seats. Exit polls had predicted a tight contest, with the NDA expected to secure 42–47 seats and the JMM-led alliance projected to win 25–30. Voter turnout was recorded at 68.45%, surpassing the 65% turnout in the 2019 elections.

Congress leader Rajesh Thakur expressed optimism about the trends, crediting the alliance’s policies, such as loan waivers for farmers and free electricity up to 200 units, for resonating with voters. He also criticized the BJP’s political maneuvers, including alleged attempts to destabilize the JMM-led government.

Counting for the elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, along with bypoll results from 15 states, began at 8 am. The final results for all 81 constituencies in Jharkhand will be declared later today.   

(ANI)