Ranchi, November 2: As voters gear up for the Jharkhand Assembly elections 2024, the battle for power has highlighted divisions within alliances, allegations of dynastic politics, and a focused effort to attract female voters. Both the INDIA bloc and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have faced challenges, with the INDIA bloc experiencing “friendly fights” on three seats due to disagreements over seat-sharing.

Notably, 42 seats were allocated to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), 30 to the Congress, six to the RJD, and three to the CPI(ML). The NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement allocates 68 seats to the BJP, 10 to the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), two to Janata Dal (United), and one to Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).

With days left for polling, Here’s a closer look at five key constituencies that are set to make headlines.

Jamshedpur East: Purnima Das Sahu (BJP) vs Ajoy Kumar (Congress)

Jamshedpur East is attracting significant attention with Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former Jharkhand CM and current Odisha governor Raghubar Das, contesting against Congress’s Ajoy Kumar. The BJP held this seat from 1990 until 2019, when Das lost to Saryu Roy, a former BJP rebel. This year, the seat is a matter of pride for Das’s family, and Purnima, a political newcomer, was selected mainly due to her family ties. Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: Election Commission Accepts State Government’s Proposal To Appoint Alka Tiwari as Chief Secretary.

Congress has fielded Ajoy Kumar, an ex-MP of Jamshedpur and a former IPS officer, who was also once the SP of the area. Kumar’s knowledge of the region could be an advantage, given his tenure as both a police officer and MP. BJP leader Shiv Shankar Singh, who filed as an independent candidate after Sahu’s selection, may turn the contest into a triangular battle.

Jharia: Purnima Singh (Congress) vs Ragini Singh (BJP)

In Jharia, the political legacy known as the “Singh Mansion” is at stake, with Purnima Singh of the Congress taking on her sister-in-law Ragini Singh of the BJP. The Singh family, known as Singh Mansion, has held significant influence in Jharia for decades. Purnima Singh, daughter-in-law of Rajan Singh of the Raghukul family, defeated Ragini, wife of former MLA Sanjeev Singh, in the 2019 polls, marking a shift in power from Singh Mansion to Raghukul. Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah Among Top BJP Leaders As Party Releases 40-Star Campaigner List for Phase 1; Check Full List Here.

The Jharia constituency, with a voter base of around 3,01,564, is heavily influenced by coal workers and unions. This demographic will play a crucial role, and both candidates are expected to focus on labor-related issues. In the 2019 election, Purnima secured a narrow victory, winning 50.34% of the votes to Ragini’s 42.73%, a margin of just 12,054 votes.

Jamshedpur West: Saryu Roy (JD(U)) vs Banna Gupta (Congress)

Jamshedpur West will witness a fierce battle between old rivals Saryu Roy and Banna Gupta. Gupta, the current health minister, has alternated victories with Roy over the years. Though Roy contested the Jamshedpur East seat as an independent in 2019 and won, he’s back in Jamshedpur West this time, representing JD(U). However, due to JD(U)’s limited presence in Jharkhand, his election symbol is an LPG cylinder rather than the party’s arrow symbol.

Roy has earned a reputation as a “giant killer” after defeating then-CM Raghubar Das in 2019. The minority vote will be crucial here, as Jamshedpur West has a significant Muslim population, around 30% of the constituency. Gupta, as a sitting minister and a popular Congress figure, will focus on health and minority welfare issues.

Lohardaga: Niru Shanti Bhagat (AJSU) vs Rameshwar Oraon (Congress)

The ST-reserved Lohardaga constituency, often referred to as “Bauxite City,” is another seat to watch. Veteran Congress leader and current minister Rameshwar Oraon is up against Niru Shanti Bhagat of AJSU, the widow of two-term MLA Kamal Kishore Bhagat. In 2015, Niru Shanti lost to Sukhdeo Bhagat of the Congress in a bypoll, and Oraon convincingly defeated Sukhdeo in 2019.

This election, with issues like migration, pollution, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements in Lohardaga, has significant implications for both candidates. Oraon’s long-standing political experience versus Niru Shanti’s personal connection to the region’s voters will set up a dynamic contest.

Potka: Meera Munda (BJP) vs Sanjib Sardar (JMM)

Potka will see the debut of Meera Munda, wife of former Union Minister Arjun Munda, as she faces off against JMM’s sitting MLA, Sanjib Sardar. Though a newcomer, Meera Munda has a public presence and is known for her involvement in local causes and archery associations. Her entry brings significant attention to Potka, a constituency with a substantial tribal population.

Sanjib Sardar defeated three-time BJP MLA Maneka Sardar in 2019, and now faces the challenge of retaining his seat. The community’s reaction to a new candidate, albeit from a well-known family, will determine Potka’s outcome.

The Jharkhand Assembly elections 2024 is marked by personal rivalries, dynastic politics, and efforts to engage women voters. As alliances face internal conflicts and candidates battle it out in crucial constituencies, these key contests reflect broader issues of regional loyalty, political legacy, and demographic shifts. Jharkhand’s voters will ultimately decide if dynastic influence or grassroots appeal will prevail, with results set for November 23.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 02, 2024 04:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).