NEW DELHI: BJP and AJSU are teaming up for the Jharkhand Assembly elections, however JDU’s plan to contest the elections has complicated the seat-sharing negotiations.
The Jharkhand unit of BJP is gearing up to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in alliance with the All Jharkhand Student Union (AJSU), similar to their collaboration in the recent Lok Sabha elections, despite both parties being dissatisfied with the results. Meanwhile, with the Janata Dal United (JDU), a key NDA ally, showing interest in contesting the Jharkhand Assembly polls alongside BJP, the saffron party is facing challenges regarding seat-sharing arrangements.
Jharkhand has 81 Assembly seats, with elections expected to be held later this year. In 2019, BJP contested the elections alone after parting ways with AJSU but faced a setback, winning only 25 out of 81 seats, while AJSU secured just two seats. However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, both parties reunited and contested together, confirming they will continue this alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Tensions within the BJP have risen after its NDA ally JDU, announced plans to contest the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections in alliance with BJP.
JDU acting president Sanjay Jha stated, “Our party has always had a strong base in Jharkhand. We’ve had ministers and MLAs. Khiru Mahto is our Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, and CM Nitish Kumar shares a deep connection with the state. Both Bihar and Jharkhand are like siblings, and the people of Jharkhand are looking to JDU with hope.”
A senior BJP leader in Jharkhand, spoke on condition of anonymity, that since BJP is the dominant party in the alliance, it is expected to contest 65-70 of the 81 Assembly seats, leaving the rest for its allies.
Although the state unit has passed the final seat-sharing decision to the party’s central committee, insiders suggest that BJP leadership may face challenges managing local aspirants’ dissatisfaction if seats are ceded to allies.
However, Khiru Mahto, said that they have requested 15 seats to contest in the Assembly elections and have submitted the list to the higher authorities for a final decision. While he didn’t disclose the specific constituencies they are interested in, Mahto acknowledged that there could be differences between the parties over certain seats. “We’ve left the decision to the senior leadership, and we will abide by whatever they decide,” he added. Mahto also emphasised that the JDU is fully prepared to contest the elections, following both, NDA and party-specific agendas.
Party spokesperson Dr. Deosharan Bhagat said that they would not repeat the mistakes made in the last Assembly elections, which led to Hemant Soren’s victory.
“This time, we are focussing on the winnability of seats. We will contest only in constituencies where we have a strong chance of winning, and the final seat tally will be determined soon,” Bhagat said. He also noted that productive discussions are ongoing with the BJP on key issues, and updates will be provided once decisions are finalised.
AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto said that the party is fully prepared to contest the elections, with a focus on regional issues. Mahto emphasised the party’s commitment to aligning with the sentiments of the people in the state. He affirmed AJSU’s determination to amplify the voices of all sections of society in opposition to the current government. Mahto also pointed to widespread dissatisfaction among the populace, attributing it to the flawed policies and governance of the ruling coalition over the last four-and-a-half years.