AJSU VP and BJP MLA Join JMM Ahead of Jharkhand Assembly Polls

Key Defections Follow NDA’s Seat-Sharing Announcement

Key Points:

• AJSU’s Umakant Rajak and BJP’s Kedar Hazra switch to ruling JMM

• Defections occur after NDA finalizes seat-sharing for 81 constituencies

• JMM-led alliance to contest all seats in upcoming Assembly elections

RANCHI – The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) welcomes two significant political figures ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections.

AJSU central vice-president Umakant Rajak joined the ruling JMM on Friday.

Moreover, three-term BJP MLA Kedar Hazra from Jamua constituency also switched allegiance to JMM.

The defections followed closely after the NDA’s seat-sharing announcement.

Furthermore, the BJP is set to contest 68 seats under the NDA arrangement.

AJSU, led by Sudesh Mahto, will field candidates in 10 constituencies.

Meanwhile, JDU and LJP-RV will contest two and one seats respectively.

"Both leaders will contest on JMM tickets," a party spokesperson confirmed.

They added, "Hazra will run from Jamua, while Rajak is slated for Chandankiyari."

The political landscape shifts as Congress leader Manju Devi recently joined BJP.

Additionally, speculation suggests BJP might field Devi from Jamua, prompting Hazra’s move.

Rajak’s decision came amid uncertainty over AJSU ticket allocation.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the JMM-led alliance will contest all 81 seats.

Soren expressed confidence in regaining power based on executed welfare schemes.

In contrast, he criticized the opposition for making mere announcements.

JMM legislator Kalpana Soren highlighted the alliance’s 2019 victory against BJP’s "double-engine" government.

However, the political realignments indicate a closely contested upcoming election.