Ranchi, May 19: Polling began for Rajmahal, Dumka and Godda parliamentary seats in Jharkhand in the seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections ended today. In Jharkhand, polling took place in four phases. In Rajmahal, Dumka and Godda Lok Sabha seats, the main contest was between the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A total of 70.50 percent voter turnout was recorded in the state. The results of Lok Sabha polls will be declared on May 23.

In Jharkhand, the Congress, the JMM and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik- JVM) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have formed an alliance to contest polls. As per seat sharing agreement, the JMM contested  Rajmahal and Dumka Lok Sabha seats, while JVM fought from Godda parliamentary seats. In Rajmahal, JMM's Vijay Kumar Hansdak took on BJP's Hemlal Murmu. Jharkhand Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Schedule: Constituency Wise Dates Of Voting And Results For General Elections.

The electoral contest in Godda Lok Sabha seat was between JVM's Pradeep Yadav and BJP candidate Nishikant Dubey. In Dumka parliamentary seat, former chief minister Shibu Soren tried his luck against BJP's Sunil Soren. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the JMM won Dumka and Rajmahal seats, whereas the Godda parliamentary seat was bagged by the BJP. Of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the BJP won 12 and JMM 2 in the previous polls.

However, this time the BJP has an uphill task due to a formidable grand alliance of opposition parties. According to a couple of pre-poll surveys, the Congress-led alliance may decimate the BJP in Jharkhand. The Lok Sabha elections 2019 are being in held in seven phases. The results will be announced on May 23.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 19, 2019 06:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).