Ranchi: JMM central general secretary and party spokesperson Vinod Pandey, who is considered close to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, expressed unhappiness over the Election Commission announcing polls on November 13 and 20, with results to be announced on November 23.
“Our government term lasts until January. We had requested the Election Commission of India officials during their visit to Ranchi to conduct the polls after Chhath and statehood functions (November 15), which are celebrated as a festival in tribal heartlands to observe the birth anniversary of Dharti Aba Birsa Munda and the formation of the state. However, it announced the polls before that date, which is unjust towards the state government,” said Pandey.
He alleged that the Election Commission, at the behest of the BJP-led Centre, was preventing the state government from carrying out its welfare schemes.
However, he was confident of retaining power and felt that the ruling alliance was ready for the polls.
“We are ready for the polls any day and are confident of retaining power due to the popular welfare measures undertaken by the Hemant Soren-led government, which have benefited all sections of the people,” said Pandey.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Manoj Pandey said, “The election is set to be announced today, but BJP leaders got information about it yesterday. This is a very serious matter. Does the Commission work at the behest of BJP leaders? It is serious to keep the Commission as a puppet.” He added, “There will be a formal meeting of the INDIA bloc, and everything will be clear after that meeting. There are 2-3 seats on which there will be talks, and then the announcement will be made.”
Meanwhile, on Monday, the Jharkhand cabinet approved an increase in the financial assistance provided to women under the Maiyan Samman Yojna, raising it from ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 per month. The increase will take effect in December.
In the 2019 assembly elections, the contest was close, with the JMM winning 30 seats and the BJP securing 25, down from 37 in 2014. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance won a comfortable majority with 47 seats.
The BJP has announced that its seat-sharing arrangement within the NDA is “almost final,” with the first list of candidates expected within the next 48 hours.
According to the proposed arrangement, the Sudesh Mahto-led AJSU Party will contest 9-11 seats, while the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) will field candidates in two constituencies. Talks regarding seat-sharing with LJP (Ram Vilas) are scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday, pending the return of its chief Chirag Paswan from abroad.
On Monday, Soren confirmed that the JMM-led alliance will contest all 81 seats, although seat-sharing with allies is yet to be finalized. The Congress said it will contest the polls in alliance with the JMM, with a decision on seat-sharing expected soon.
BJP leader and party state spokesperson Pratul Sahdeo, however, ruled out allegations of early elections.
“The Election Commission has decided the dates after careful deliberation with all stakeholders, and the dates have been announced after all festivities so that a new government can take over before the next year,” said Sahdeo.
