Jharkahand Polls: INDIA Bloc Leading In Over 43 Seats, JMM’S Hemant Soren Ahead In Barhait

Ranchi: As Election Commission of India was counting votes for Jharkhand Assembly polls on Saturday (November 23), early trends showed the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha crossing the halfway mark and the INDIA Bloc ahead of the BJP.

Chief minister Hemant Soren is leading from Barhait. His wife Kalpana Soren is trailing in Gandey constituency. Former Jharkhand chief minister and BJP leader Champai Soren is leading from Seraikella by over 8,000 votes after three rounds of counting.

According to the ECI data as of 11.30am today, JMM is leading in 29 seats, the BJP in 27 seats and the Congress in 14 seats. RJD is leading in 5 seats.

In the 81-seat Jharkhand assembly election, the ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc is seeking to retain the state.

While some of the exit polls have predicted an edge to the NDA alliance in Jharkhand, some also predicted a hung assembly, reports stated.

Jharkhand had witnessed a voter turnout of 67.74% in two phases. Prominent candidates are Chief Minister Hemant Soren, BJP’s Babulal Marandi, and AJSU’s Sudesh Mahto.

Jharkhand’s political landscape has seen many developments recently. Chief minister Hemant Soren’s resignation, followed by his arrest, led to Champai Soren temporarily taking over the state as its chief. In a surprising move, once Hemant was released, Champai joined the BJP.