- By Nidhi Giri
- Sun, 20 Oct 2024 06:15 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a day after the saffron party released its first list of 66 candidates for the Jharkhand Assembly Election. JMM MP Mahua Maji claimed that the BJP was finding it difficult to field a candidate against Chief Minister Hemant Soren in the Barhait assembly seat. Notably, the party withheld names for two crucial constituencies: Barhait, where chief minister Hemant Soren is the incumbent, and Tundi.
The NDA on Friday announced its seat-sharing formula among its partners. The BJP will contest 68 seats, AJSU Party 10, JD(U) 2 and LJP (Ram Vilas) 1.
“BJP is finding no suitable candidate to field against chief minister Hemant Soren in the Barhait seat. Actually, the work done by the chief minister has scared BJP leaders,” Maji said. “I have heard that the saffron party asked several senior leaders to contest against Hemant Soren but all have declined, as it may ruin their careers.”
Maji lambasted the BJP for offering election tickets to former JMM leaders who have recently defected and accused the party of lacking originality and relying on turncoats to bolster its ranks.
“BJP calls itself the biggest political party. It says that it has many women workers. However, during elections it starts to look around. It is shameful that you are breaking other parties. This is not a good practice,” the JMM leader said.
Maji also took a swipe at the BJP its frequent criticisms of "dynastic politics" in regional parties like the JMM. She pointed out that the BJP has given tickets to several family members of its senior leaders for the Jharkhand polls.
“The BJP should make comments on dynastic politics when it itself gave election tickets to its leaders' brothers, sons, and sisters-in-law for the Jharkhand assembly polls,” she said.
BJP on Saturday officially announced its first list of 66 candidates for the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections in 2024. Leading the charge is state chief Babulal Marandi, who will contest from Dhanwar. Other notable candidates include Lobin Hembrom from Borio, Sita Soren from Jamtara, and former chief minister Champai Soren representing Saraikela. Additionally, Geeta Balmuchu will run from Chaibasa, Geeta Koda from Jaganathpur, and Meera Munda from Potka, signalling a strategic lineup as the party prepares for the electoral battle ahead.
Elections to the 81-member Jharkhand assembly will be held in two phases on November 13 and 20, announced the Election Commission. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.