In Jharkhand, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress announced they would fight 70 of the 81 seats in the state. However, seat sharing between the two parties remains undisclosed.
With Hemant Soren in a stronger position, JMM will likely contest more than 43 seats, leaving Congress less than 31 seats it contested in the previous election.
JMM is also discussing with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the left parties for the remaining eleven seats. The Communist Party of India (M-L) and Marxist Coordination Committee (MMC) are eager to join forces with the JMM-Congress combine. However, RJD said it’s disappointed over the ‘unilateral decision’ announced by the parties.
Earlier on Friday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it’s contesting 68 seats. In contrast, its NDA partners, the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) will contest in 10, Janata Dal (United ) in 2, and LJP in 1 (Chatra) seats.
In another development in the state, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the removal of Jharkhand’s acting Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta, citing previous poll-time complaints. The ECI has also asked for a list of senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in Jharkhand before October 21 to select a new DGP for the state.
Jharkhand will go for polls on November 13 and 20, with results on November 23.