Jharkhand Election 2024 Candidate List: BJP Set To Release Its First List

The BJP is expected to release its first list of candidates for the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections today or tomorrow.

The BJP will contest in 68 seats, the AJSU in 10 seats, the JDU in 2 seats and the LJP (R) in 1 seat, Assam CM and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sharma said in a press meet.

"As per our discussions so far, AJSU will contest on 10 seats, JD(U) on two seats, LJP (Ram Vilas Paswan) on one seat and BJP will contest on remaining of the seats, however, discussions are still on," said Himanta Biswa Sharma.

The party leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and key Central Election Committee (CEC) members, deliberated on the selection of nominees, two days ago. Jharkhand election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chouhan, co-in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma, and other senior leaders from the state, including Babulal Marandi and Arjun Munda, were also present during the meetings.

A comprehensive candidate list was prepared by the Jharkhand BJP core committee after discussions with the state unit. The committee also engaged in a crucial meeting with Nadda on October 7, where the allocation of seats for BJP allies, including the Janata Dal United (JDU) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP-RV), was discussed.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, who recently switched from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) to the BJP, participated in these crucial discussions.

Focus on New Faces and Inclusivity

The BJP plans to replace several sitting MLAs in an effort to bring in new candidates, especially from the OBC, SC, and ST communities, according to a report in The New Indian Express. There is also a strong focus on ensuring adequate representation for women. The party had sought feedback from grassroots workers, MPs, and other key stakeholders, with winnability and social dynamics playing a central role in the selection process.

The BJP is facing a tough challenge in Jharkhand, particularly after its poor performance in the 2019 assembly elections, where it managed to win only 25 out of 79 seats, a significant drop from its 2014 tally of 37 seats. The party is hoping to reclaim its dominance in the state, where the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition currently holds power. In the 2019 election, the JMM won 30 seats, the Congress secured 16, and the RJD took 1 seat, giving the coalition a comfortable majority.

Jharkhand's 81-member assembly elections will be held in two phases, on November 13 and November 20. The final counting of votes will take place on November 23.