BJP enthused, ruling JMM hopes to return to power

With the exit polls predicting a BJP victory in Jharkhand, the party is confident of forming the government in the state when votes are counted Tuesday.

"We alone will get more than 45 seats. For the first time, the state will get a stable government. The exit polls indicate that people of the state have again reposed faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said BJP national vice president Raghubar Das to IANS.

Various exit polls have predicted that BJP may get between 37 and 61 seats in the 81-member state assembly.

The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is also hoping to return to power.

"...We will do better in the polls and return to power," JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattcharya told IANS.

The five-phase state assembly eletions concluded Dec 20.

Jhartkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is fighting from two constituencies - Dumka and Barhait.

The future of 1,136 candidates, including 111 women, has been locked in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Among these 81 seats, the maximum of 29 candidates are contesting in Hatia where polling was held in the third phase, while a minimum of 7 candidates are in the fray from Chatra which went to polls in the first phase.

The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) led by former chief minister Babulal Marandi has fielded 72 candidates with Marandi himself contesting from Dhanwar and Giridih constituencies.

The BJP, which is contesting the polls in alliance with All Jharkhand Students Unions (AJSU) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), has fielded its candidates for 72 seats, AJSU for eight and the LJP for one seat.

The Congress is contesting for 60 seats while its alliance partner RJD for 19 seats. The Left parties, CPI and CPI-M, have fielded their candidates respectively in 24 and 13 constituencies.