Bigwigs likely to switch sides as Jharkhand Elections near

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Oct 8: With the Jharkhand Assembly elections approaching, political parties are preparing to announce their candidates, sparking a wave of possible defections. The BJP has almost finalized its candidates, while the Indy alliance still faces suspense over seat sharing. Once the candidate lists are revealed, leaders across JMM, BJP, Congress, and AJSU, who don’t secure tickets, may look for opportunities elsewhere. Many of them are already in contact with Jairam Mahto and could shift alliances once seats are confirmed.

According to reports, BJP is ready to release the first list of 25-30 candidates, but the party is expected to drop around two dozen sitting MLAs due to age or performance concerns. This move could trigger unrest and prompt some leaders to switch parties, possibly sparking a political storm.

Key leaders in BJP, JMM, Congress, and AJSU are already feeling the heat, particularly over seat-sharing arrangements. Speculation is rife that several sitting MLAs from regions like Koyalanchal, Santhal, and North Chotanagpur could switch sides if their tickets are cut. For instance, a sitting MLA from a major Koyalanchal seat may change sides if dropped, and a few Congress leaders are also rumored to be preparing for defections.

In South Chotanagpur, a sitting MLA from a tribal-reserved seat is weighing his options, having tested his strength as a rebel in past elections. He knows that if his party sidelines him, he could lose political relevance, making him more likely to align with Jairam Mahto or possibly join the BJP.