Ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024, sources on Monday confirmed that a consensus has been reached on 70 seats within the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. However, the final decision on seat-sharing is expected to be made later tonight. Sources mentioned that the top leadership of all parties is currently engaged in final discussions. While the decision regarding the remaining 11 seats, out of a total of 81, is still pending, it is believed that 4 seats will be allocated to the Left parties and 7 to the Lalu Prasad-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Notably, this is the first time that Left parties are being included as part of the alliance in Jharkhand, and they will also be getting their share of seats in the elections.
Moreover, as a part of the alliance, the sources also revealed that the Congress party may cut tickets for 1 or 2 sitting MLAs, while the rest of the sitting MLAs are likely to be retained, i.e., the party may confirm their tickets. The Congress is expected to receive 29 seats in the alliance, down from the 31 seats it contested last time.
In the 2019 Jharkhand Assembly polls, the JMM became the single-largest party with 30 seats. The party received 18.72 per cent of votes. The Congress won 17 and the RJD secured the lone seat of Chatra. The RJD was the runner-up in Chhatarpur, Hussainabad, Deoghar, Godda, and Kodarma in 2019. The party was upset with the JMM and Congress for offering them fewer seats. However, it seems the agreement has been reached.
Likely seat-sharing allocation for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jharkhand:
- Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM): 41 seats
- Congress: 29 seats
- Left parties: 4 seats
- Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD): 7 seats
Last elections seat sharing allocation:
- JMM: 43 seats
- Congress: 31 seats
- RJD: 7 seats
Some possible Congress candidates in Jharkhand:
- Jamshedpur East: Dr Ajay Kumar.
- Bokaro: Rajesh Thakur, former state president, and Shweta Singh are contenders.
- Daltonganj: Former minister KN Tripathi or Bittu Pathak may get a ticket.
- Paki: Devendra Singh or Lal Suraj.
- Baghmara: Jaleshwar Mahato.
- Hatia: Ajay Nath Sahdev, Yashaswini Sahay, and Vinay Sinha.
- Ramgarh: Mamta Devi.
