Campaigning for 2nd phase of Jharkhand assembly elections ends today

In Jharkhand, campaigning for the 2nd phase of Assembly elections will come to an end today. Twenty assembly constituencies spread over seven districts will go to polls in this phase on Saturday.  Voting would take place in East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Saraikela-Kharsawan, Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla and Simdega districts.

On the last day of campaigning, Chief Minister Raghubar Das, BJP working President Jagat Prakash Nadda and senior party leader and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, will hold public meetings.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha working President Hemant Soren, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha President Babulal Marandi, All Jharkhand Students' Union Chief Sudesh Kumar Mahto and RJD leader Tejaswi Prasad Yadav are also scheduled to address election rallies.

Commitment towards protection of rights of tribal people over water, forest and land, issues of reservation and employment are the main poll planks of almost all political parties in this phase.

In the ongoing campaigning, BJP leaders are focussed on development initiatives of Centre and State governments phrasing it as achievements of  Double Engine government. Senior BJP leader and union minister Nitin Gadkari claimed in a public meeting at Dakra that incumbent government has launched



many initiatives to boost MSME sector in the state. Senior Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha said that BJP claim about development is just an eyewash. Senior leader of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Hemant  Soren is promising to voters that if voted to power his alliance will  ensure pride and self-respect of tribal people. 

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha President Babulal Marandi said his party would work on enactment for job guarantee to youths. All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) party chief Sudesh Mahto alleged that Congress and JMM have forged alliance to grab power in the state. 

Excluding Jamshedpur East, Jamshedpur West and Baharagora, sixteen constituencies are reserved for tribal candidates whereas Jugsalai seat is reserved for Scheduled Caste community. 260 candidates, including 29 women, are in the fray.

In poll-bound 20 assembly seats, 18 constituencies are naxal- affected. Elaborate security arrangements will be made at polling stations. Out of 5,784 polling booths, 1,844 are critical.

The polling process for 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will be completed in five phases between the 30th of November and the 20th of December. Counting of votes will be held on the 23rd of this month.