Vote counting began on Saturday, aiming to reveal whether the BJP-led NDA or the JMM-led INDIA alliance will form the next government in Jharkhand. The process kicked off with the counting of postal ballots at 8 AM.

This year's election saw a notable 67.74% voter turnout, the highest since Jharkhand's creation in 2000. Voting was conducted in two phases, with the first phase covering 43 constituencies on November 13 and the second phase covering 38 on November 20. A total of 1,211 candidates competed for 81 seats.

Key Contenders and Crucial Seats
Current Chief Minister Hemant Soren ran from Barhait, while his wife, Kalpana, contested in Gandey. In opposition, Amar Kumar Bauri from the BJP vied for a win in Chandankiyari, and BJP's prominent leader Babulal Marandi stood in Dhanwar. Other key figures in the election included Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato from JMM, Deepika Pandey Singh of Congress, and Sudesh Mahto from AJSU Party.

The election spotlight also fell on 28 reserved seats for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and 9 for Scheduled Castes (SC). Back in 2019, the JMM had a strong showing in the ST constituencies, securing 19 seats, while the BJP captured 2.

Highlights from the Campaign Trail
The BJP-led NDA focused its campaign on accusations of corruption and illegal infiltration targeting the ruling JMM alliance. High-profile leaders, including the Prime Minister and Home Minister, criticized Hemant Soren over a money-laundering investigation. The NDA also drew attention to the removal of Champai Soren from his role as a tribal chief minister, casting it as a slight to tribal leadership.

Meanwhile, the INDIA alliance emphasized welfare programs and accused the BJP of misusing central agencies like the ED and CBI for political purposes. Hemant Soren claimed that the opposition had invested over Rs.500 crore in "malicious campaigns" against him.

Alliances and Their Standings
The BJP-led NDA fielded candidates for 68 seats, with its ally, the AJSU Party, contesting 10. On the INDIA bloc's side, the JMM contested 43 seats, the Congress 30, and the RJD 6, among others.

A Look Back at 2019
In the 2019 elections, the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance clinched a clear victory with 47 seats, comfortably securing the majority. The BJP, on the other hand, managed 25 seats, a decline from its previous count of 37 seats in 2014.

What to Expect
Exit polls have hinted at a tight race, with some predicting a BJP resurgence and others leaning toward a win for the INDIA bloc. As the vote count unfolds, attention will focus on key constituencies to see if the INDIA alliance maintains its hold or if the NDA can stage a comeback.

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