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Jharkhand elections: Most exit polls have given the BJP the edge in Jharkhand, but shown a tight contest between NDA and INDIA front
Exit polls have predicted a tough fight in Jharkhand. (News18)
The picture of Kalpana Soren oiling husband Hemant Soren’s hair as their pet dog snuggles is meant to convey the confidence that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is exuding in the run-up to the counting. The picture posted by the Jharkhand CM himself is shown around by his supporters in Ranchi as proof of his “simple, tribal roots”, which connects with the Jharkhandis.
Jharkhand CM Soren sought to underline his “family man” image further when he called on “Guruji” on Friday. Hemant Soren reached Shibu Soren’s residence ahead of counting and took his blessings.
BUSINESS AS USUAL IN BJP
In the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Harmu office, however, there is no scope for relaxation. Twenty-four hours before the EVMs open, Babulal Marandi did a stock-taking with his party agents about the counting process.
Party Rajya Sabha MP Pradeep Verma refrained from giving an exact number, but told CNN-News18 that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will easily get “bahumat”. “Come tomorrow for laddoos,” he said, when asked if the party has started preparing for celebrations on Saturday. The BJP is banking on Champai Soren turning Kolhan for the party. India Front leaders, however, claimed Champai is facing a tough fight for his own seat.
At a tea stall next to the BJP office, local supporters claim that the party’s worst performance will be 43 seats.
Marandi told News18 that reports from across Jharkhand are very positive for the NDA. “I have already said 51 lotuses will bloom. We don’t believe in exit polls. My confidence stems from the reports that I am getting from my workers who have manned every booth and mohalla.”
EXIT POLLS SAY TOUGH FIGHT
Most exit polls have given the BJP the edge in Jharkhand, but shown a tight contest between NDA and INDIA front. Axis My India pollsters have given a clear majority to the JMM-led combine.
“The results will be clear by noon. There is no tight contest. We are coming back to power,” a Kalpana Soren aide told CNN-News18, even as the “star campaigner” of the party left Ranchi for Giridih.
WOMEN CARD VS BANGLADESHI IMMIGRANT
While the BJP is banking strongly on its ‘Bangladeshi immigrant’ pitch, India front feels Kalpana Soren will prove to be the X factor in these assembly elections.
The four percentage point increase in women voters is being underlined by both sides as proof of their support base increasing. “Maiya samman yojna, the fact that four instalments have already been credited has given women confidence in the JMM Sarkar. There is also a sympathy factor that their tribal CM was jailed,” Congress Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir told CNN-News18. Mir’s comment that, if voted to power, gas cylinders would be provided at Rs 450 to all, including infiltrators, was slammed by the BJP as vote-bank politics.
Mir claimed his comments were misreported.
