Jharkhand Assembly Result: JMM And Allies Sweep; PM Modi Congratulates Hemant Soren

The stage is all set for the much awaited results of assembly elections that took place in two phases on November 13 and November 20.

The battle of ballots in Jharkhand is a showdown between the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA bloc and BJP-led NDA with the former seeking to retain power and the latter attempting to oust them.

A total of 1,211 candidates are in the fray, including several bigwigs such as CM Hemant Soren, Kalpana Soren, Sita Soren, Champai Soren, Jairam Mahto, Babulal Marandi, Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato and several others.

ALSO READ: Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: Know About The Key Constituencies

While Chief Minister Hemant Soren contested from Barhait, JMM fielded his wife Kalpana from Gandey. The Leader of the Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri (BJP) contested from Chandankiyari.

Other prominent leaders included Jairam Mahto from Dumri and Bermo, JMM turncoat Sita Soren (BJP) from Jamtara, Deepika Pandey Singh of Congress from Mahagama, AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto from Silli, and former chief minister Champai Soren from Seraikela.

ALSO READ | From Sorens To Marandis: Know About The Bigwigs Of Jharkhand Elections

As the protruding tongue, stomping feet and thumping claps sang paeans to the rights of the indigenous population in New Zealand, the dream of a Santhal or an Oraon flexing bow and arrow on the floor of the Indian Parliament remains a distant dream. What comes as an alternative is mere symbolism—the occasional nomination of an Adivasi as the President or the renaming of some chowks.

Coming a week before the results of the Assembly polls, the renaming of the Delhi chowk seems to have a broader political relevance. Jharkhand has 26 per cent Adivasi population. Since the formation of the state, Adivasis have played a formidable role in determining the fate of political parties. In 2019, when the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led coalition came to power, they won 25 out of the 28 reserved ST seats. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as well, the ruling alliance maintained its tally and won all the five ST-reserved Lok Sabha constituencies.

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While carrying out extensive poll rallies in the state ahead of the elections, the NDA attacked the JMM-led coalition over corruption and infiltration while criticising ruling party leaders, including chief minister Hemant Soren, who was arrested by the Enforecement Directorate (ED) in a land scam case and currently is out on bail.

On the other hand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) tried wooing voters with promises of welfare schemes and accusations against the BJP-led Centre for "unleashing" the ED and CBI against rival parties. Hemant Soren has also hit out at the saffron camp, alleging that the opposition party spent over Rs 500 crore on "malicious campaigns" against him.

Outlook spoke with Sudesh Mahto about the challenges of the triangular fight in the Jharkhand elections. Priorities discussed include local governance, administrative reforms, and development. Concerns about the party’s limited influence in the Chotanagpur region were addressed, along with plans to expand its reach. The focus remained on transparency, tackling regional issues, and envisioning growth for Jharkhand.

Watch the full interview

Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president JP Nadda, and chief ministers of several states, addressed extensive rallies in Jharkhand.

On the other hand, prominent INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, and his wife and legislator Kalpana Soren, also campaigned extensively.

In Photos| Jharkhand Elections 2024: Hemant Soren, Modi And Kharge Carry Out Campaigns Ahead Of Assembly Polls

Security measures have been beefed up amid the arrival of polling officials at a counting center in Jamshedpur. Vote counting is set to begin from 8 AM on Saturday.

Counting begins across all 81 constituencies in Jharkhand. Results will be declared by the Election Commission of India (ECI) by the end of the day. The elections were held in two phases - November 13 and 20. The first round of polls covered 43 constituencies, while the second and final phase saw voting in 38 seats.

Outlook's Asghar Khan reported from Ranchi when the assembly elections for Jharkhand kicked off. As per the schedule issued by the Election Commission, polling was held in two phases. In the first phase, voting took place in 43 assembly seats out of 81. The next phase was on November 20 for the remaining 38 seats.

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The Jharkhand assembly elections of 2024 saw many key alliances clash over political ideologies. The INDIA bloc, led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) with Hemant Soren as its chief ministerial candidate, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are expected to garner most of the votes.

Some Exit Polls predicted a BJP-NDA sweep, while others, like Axis My India, said the INDIA bloc would manage to hold the state.

Early counting updates show that the BJP has a massive lead of 26. However, with a voter turnout of 67.59% in the final phase, the outcome remains uncertain.

Maiya Samman Yojna (JMM) - The Jharkhand Chief Minister Maiya Samman Yojana provides financial assistance to women in the Antyodaya category. Under this scheme, women receive an annual amount of Rs 12,000, paid monthly as Rs 1,000. The government aims to support women from economically weaker sections through this initiative.

Gogo Didi Yojna (BJP) -  The BJP promised the Gogo Didi scheme, assuring Rs 2,100 per month to all women in the state. The party has further mentioned that they plan to transfer the money to beneficiaries from the first month if they come to power.

"I am fully confident... I am winning from Ranchi. JMM and INDIA alliance will form government in Jharkhand," says JMM candidate from Ranchi seat Mahua Maji.

Counting of voting in Jharkhand has begun with bad news for Jairam Mahto, a prominent leader in Jharkhand's Bermo constituency.

He is currently trailing behind INC’s Kumar Jaimangal in the vote count for the 2024 Assembly elections. mahto’s association with the BJP started in college with his work for the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) Party, a BJP ally. He has campaigned on issues such as education, local employment, and tribal rights.

If this trend continues, it will be a setback for the BJP as Mahto had in the 2020 Assembly by-elections secured Bermo despite it being a historically Congress-stronghold.

As vote counting continues in Jharkhand’s 2024 assembly elections, Chief Minister Hemant Soren is leading in Barhait, a constituency he has represented since 2014.

However, his party, the JMM trails behind the BJP which is ahead in the overall seat tallies for the State. This signals that while Soren maintains a stronghold over Jharkhand’s people and his constituency, BJP’s efforts which included a campaign featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders.

Modi’s personal campaigning in the State underscores the stakes for this assembly election.

The elder daughter-in-law of the Soren family, Sita Soren is currently trailing in the Jamtara constituency, which is a seat traditionally held by her brother-in-law and former Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

Soren entered politics after the untimely death of her husband Durga Soren. She was a popular leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), winning three consecutive terms from the Jama constituency.

However, in March 2024, Sita Soren formally resigned from the JMM and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a move seen as a blow to the JMM’s Santhal Pargana stronghold. Her influence in Dumka and surrounding tribal areas. At the time, Sita had criticised the JMM for sidelining her, alleging nepotism and disrespect of grassroots leaders. Her defection speaks to a high-stakes contest in Jamtara, a constituency she is now vying to claim under the BJP banner.

On the campaign trail, Soren has emphasised tribal welfare, women’s empowerment, and tackling corruption. She distanced herself from the Soren family’s governance, claiming that JMM’s promises to the tribal communities have remained unfulfilled. Her speeches often target Hemant Soren’s administration, accusing it of prioritising family interests over state development.

ALSO READ | 'Leaving The Great Soren Family Of Jharkhand, I Have Joined The Huge Family Of Modi Ji': Sita Soren Following JMM Exit

Soren’s critics have said she abandoned her longstanding pro-tribal stance by joining the BJP, a party traditionally seen as opposing tribal autonomy. She was also accused in corruption cases during her time with the JMM.

If her lead in Jamtara holds, Sita Soren’s victory would signal a drastic shift in Jharkhand’s political landscape. For the BJP, this would hail that the JMM’s dominance in Santhal Pargana has come to an end. If she wins, Soren could also emerge as a key player for future Lok Sabha elections.

Hemant Soren - Barhait (JMM)

Hemant Soren, the current Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a member of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), represents the Barhait seat. He is facing opposition from the BJP’s Gamaliyan Hembrom. In the 2019 elections, Soren secured a comfortable victory with 73,725 votes, ahead of BJP’s Simon Marandi, who received 47,985 votes.

Kalpana Soren - Gandey (JMM)

Kalpana Soren, wife of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, represents the Gandey seat. She is contesting against BJP’s Muniya Devi. In the 2024 assembly by-election, Kalpana Soren won with 109,827 votes, defeating BJP’s Dilip Verma, who garnered 82,678 votes. In the 2019 assembly elections, Sarfaraz Ahmed of JMM won this seat with 65,023 votes.

Irfan Ansari - Jamtara (Congress):
Irfan Ansari represents the Jamtara seat for the Congress party. He is contesting against BJP’s Sita Soren. A seasoned politician, Ansari is the son of Furqan Ansari, who represented Jamtara multiple times. Jamtara has a diverse electorate, comprising both Muslim and tribal voters. The Congress party has a stronghold here, having won 12 of the 18 elections since 1952.

ALSO READ | From Sorens To Marandis: Know About The Bigwigs Of Jharkhand Elections

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's wife Kalpana Soren is trailing in Gandey constituency.

Hailing from a non-political background, Kalpana embarked on her political journey on March 4 this year during the 51st Foundation Day celebration of the JMM in Giridih.

Her political journey started on the backdrop of Hemant Soren's attest by the ED in connection to a land scam case.

Kalpana originally hails from Odisha's Mayurbhanj district. Kalpana's father is known to be a businessman while her mother is a homemaker. Born in Ranchi in 1946, Kalpana pursued engineering and an MBA.

On February 7, 2006, Kalpana got married to Hemant Soren and they now have two children- Nikhil and Ansh.

Former Jharkhand CM and JMM turncoat Champai Soren is leading in Seraikella by 8542 votes, while the first CM of Jharkhand Babulal Marandi is leading in Dhanwar by 1840 votes.

JKLM's Jairam Mahto is currently leading Dumri constituency by 183 votes. In an apparent BJP vs JMM showdown in Jharkhand, the 29-year-old OBC leader Jairam Mahto representing Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM) emerged as a rising force in the Kudmi Mahto community. He contested the assembly election from Dumri. Mahto is also popularly known by the sobriquet 'Tiger'.

Mahto was born in Dhanbad’s Maantand village in 1995. His father was an active member in the movement for statehood for Jharkhand.

In June 2023, Jairam alongside other student leaders, formed the Jharkhandi Bhasha Sangharsh Khatian Samiti as a reaction to a government notification in end 2021 that states inclusion of Magahi, Bhojpuri and Angika etc as regional languages in the district-level selection exams held by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission. Jairam and others considered the inclusion as an infringement on the rights of Adivasis and Moolvasis. 

In the Lok Sabha elections this year—when the formal launch of his political party was still awaited, Jairam and his independent candidates had secured a substantial vote-share. In the Giridih seat, Mahto garnered 347,000 votes, trailing the JMM’s Mathura Prasad Mahto by 23,000 votes.

Outlook speaks to Pathalgadi activists, highlighting the struggles faced by Adivasis during the 2017-18 movement in Jharkhand. The activists recount their imprisonment under sedition charges imposed during protests against amendments to land tenancy laws, the financial and emotional toll on their families, and their ongoing demands for justice and compensation for the hardships they endured.

The Pathalgadi movement, deeply rooted in Jharkhand's tribal tradition of erecting stone plaques to demarcate land and assert autonomy, became a symbol of defiance against policies seen as anti-tribal. The protests, centred in regions like Khunti and Chaibasa, spotlighted the implementation of the PESA Act and the demand for tribal self-governance. While the JMM government has withdrawn sedition cases, activists continue to demand justice and compensation for the enduring hardships faced by those affected.

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The JMM-led INDIA bloc was leading in 48 of the 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand while the BJP-headed NDA was ahead in 31 as the counting of votes was underway on Saturday.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren was leading in Barhait assembly constituency by a margin of 4,921 votes over BJP’s Gamliyel Hembrom after the second round of counting.

BJP state chief Babulal Marandi is leading by 5,102 votes over CPIML’s Rajkumar Yadav after second round of counting.

The entire Hindutva ecosystem in Jharkhand, under the RSS’ leadership, has mobilised to reinforce these themes. Known for framing local issues through a Hindutva lens, Sarma has aggressively reoriented Jharkhand’s historic insider-outsider dynamic—a theme that has animated politics in the region since the inception of the Jharkhand Movement in the 1930s—to support the BJP’s agenda. In this election, Sarma has attempted to change the local political narrative of portraying diku (irritating/exploitative outsider) as dominant caste groups from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal to casting Muslims, particularly the spectre of “Bangladeshi infiltrators”, as the new existential threat. Through narratives of “Love Jihad” and “Land Jihad”, the BJP alleges that Muslim outsiders are marrying Adivasi women and seizing Adivasi lands, effectively shifting the discourse to portray the JMM-led INDIA Bloc alliance as appeasers of these supposed threats. By tapping into both local anxieties and Hindu nationalistic fervour, the BJP is taking a calculated approach to reshape Jharkhand’s political landscape, aiming to fracture traditional alliances and consolidate its support among Adivasis, OBC Hindus, and SCs as the elections approach.

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Indian National Congress (INC) candidate Ajay Nath Shahdeo is leading in Hatia constituency against BJP's Navin Jaiswal by 2.583 votes.

Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) candidates Cahndradeo Mahato and and Arup Chatterjee contesting from Sindri and Nirsa respectively are currently leading.

While Mahato is leading by 6,116 votes, Chatterjee is seeing a lead of 3,337 votes.

Sweets are being distributed at JMM office in Ranchi as leaders and supporters celebrate party's performance in Assembly elections.

JMM-led INDIA bloc was leading in 50 of the 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand while the NDA was ahead in 30, according to trends available on the Election Commission's website.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA from Dumka Assembly Constituency Basant Soren speaks to Outlook on key issues ahead of the Jharkhand elections, reaffirming his commitment to serving his people without seeking ministerial positions.

Addressing the controversy around alleged Bangladeshi infiltration, he dismisses the claims as politically driven and baseless, emphasising the longstanding presence of indigenous communities in the region. Soren highlights his dedication to Dumka, with plans to improve education, healthcare, and employment.

He also reflects on the resilience of the JMM, noting the unity and strength the party has displayed through challenges.

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The saffron party, for the first time, tried its best to address Adivasis—but with a tweak. They evoked the issue of ‘Bangladeshi infiltrators’ in Muslim-dominated districts of Pakur, Sahebgunj and Dumka.

They deployed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as the election-in-charge who earlier successfully used this trope to win his home state. They alleged that Bangladeshi infiltrators are taking away land and women from Adivasis through what they term ‘land jihad’ and ‘love jihad’.

In contrast, the JMM with its traditional Adivasi vote base, gave a call for ‘Abua Sarkar’. This word Abua was first invoked by legendary Adivasi figure Birsa Munda against the Britishers. Both Hemant Soren and Kalpana Soren accused the BJP of being a party of outsiders who came from Gujarat.

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Hemant Soren's JMM-led alliance was all set to retain Jharkhand as it was leading in over 50 seats in the 81-member state assembly on Saturday, as per the Election Commission data.

According to the latest EC figures, the JMM was leading in 31 seats, the Congress in 14, the RJD in four and the CPI(ML) Liberation in one.

The BJP was leading in 26 seats, while the AJSU Party, LJP (Ram Vilas) and JD(U) were ahead in one seat each.

Ahead of the Jharkhand elections, if there was one name that stood tall against both the INDIA bloc and the NDA it would be Jairam Mahato. The young Mahato leader in his late 20s became a household name after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when he stood third from Giridih. He belongs to the Kudmi Mahato community which constitutes 15 per cent of the total electorates.

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CPI(ML) candidate Chandradeo Mahato wins the Sindri seat. He defeated Bharatiya Janata Party's Tara Devi seat by a margin of 3,448 votes.

Gomia- Yogendra Pradsad

Chandankiyari- Uma Kant Rajak

Majhgaon- Niral Purty

Torpa- Sudeep Gudhiya

In Jharkhand, the Bharatiya Janata Party has won in Simaria seat after its candidate Kumar Ujjwal secured 111,906 votes and in Baghmara, Shatrughan Mahto won with 87,529 votes.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha -

Hemlal Murmu - Litipara
Stephen Marandi - Maheshpur
Basant Soren - Dumka
Lois Marandi - Jama
Yogendra Prasad - Gomia
Uma Kant Rajak - Chandankiyari
Mathura Prasad Mahato - Tundi
Deepak Birua - Chaibasa
Niral Purty - Majhgaon
Sukhram Oraon - Chakradharpur
Dashrath Gagrai - Kharsawan
Sudeep Gudhiya - Torpa
Anant Pratap Deo - Bhawanathpur

Congress -

Kumar Jaimangal (Anup Singh) - Bermo
Shwetta Singh - Bokaro
Rameshwar Oraon - Lohardaga

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's brother Basant Soren won the Dumka assembly seat by 14,588 votes on Saturday, according to the Election Commission.

BJP candidate Sunil Soren was in second place in the seat, securing 81,097 votes. The JMM candidate got 95,685 votes.

Basant Soren won the Dumka seat in a bypoll in 2020, defeating BJP's Lois Marandi by 6,842 votes.

In a post on X, PM Narendra Modi wrote, "I thank the people of Jharkhand for their support towards us. We will always be at the forefront of raising people’s issues and working for the state. I also congratulate the JMM-led alliance for their performance in the state." He also tagged Hemant Soren in the post.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday expressed gratitude to people of the state for INDIA bloc’s stellar performance in the assembly polls, asserting that it passed the exam of democracy.

The coalition comprising the JMM, Congress, RJD and CPIM(L) Liberation is headed for a decisive victory, having won 31 seats and leading in 24 others. Soren has already won from the Barhait seat by a margin of 39,791 votes, defeating BJP’s Gamliyel Hembrom.

“We have passed the exam of democracy in Jharkhand; we will finalise our strategy after the election results,” Soren said at a press conference here.

“I express my gratitude to the people for this stupendous performance,” he said.

Soren also said Jharkhand is set to script ‘Abua Raj, Abua Sarkar’ (own state, own govt).

Meanwhile, AICC general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir said “Soren is the CM of Jharkhand and will continue to remain so”.

INDIA Bloc:

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has won 34 seats.

Indian National Congress has won 15 seats.

Rashtriya Janata Dal has won 4 seats.

Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) has won in 2 seats.