Jharkhand: Several opposition leaders plan BJP switch ahead of polls

A defection from the opposition parties in Jharkhand is taking place wherein the leaders are switching to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Many leaders from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have joined BJP - something also witnessed in other states. The RJD’s Manoj Bhuiyan has switched to BJP, while JMM leaders Kushwaha Sashi Bhushan Mehta and JVM-P leader Prakash Ram are likely to be joining the party ahead of the Jharkhand elections.

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Strong contender for the Panki assembly: Mehta

Kushwaha Sashi Bhushan Mehta had been unsuccessful while contesting the assembly elections independently from the Panki general seat for both 2009 and 2014 elections, and also lost the bypoll in 2016 when he contested from a JMM ticket. His losses, however, appear to have bolstered his confidence

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"I enjoy the support of 70% voters of the constituency,” Mehta said.

Mehta said that since the constituency is represented by Congress there is a probability of it going to Congress after the seat-sharing deal between Mahagathbhandan (grand alliance) parties. If this were to happen, he wouldn't be able to contest the seat - something which would not be the case if he joins the BJP and contests under the party's ticket. 

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Upcoming Elections of Maharashtra & Haryana:

Maharashtra and Haryana Legislative Assembly polls will be held on October 21 this year. The state of Maharashtra has 288 Assembly seats while Haryana has a total of 90 seats. The elections will be held in a single-phase and the counting procedure would be held on October 24. The Election Commission chief Sunil Arora also announced that the last date of nomination is on October 4. Arora also notified the media that the parties in Maharashtra had wanted the polls to be concluded by Dhanteras. The current Assembly will expire on 2 November 2019.

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