As the final countdown for election results begins, political workers and supporters are deeply engrossed in speculation about their candidates' fortunes, which remain locked in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) inside the strong rooms of Jamshedpur Co-operative College. While the BJP camp is pinning hopes on Modi fervour, the JMM is confident that the voters have favoured change this time.
Anil Modi, the spokesperson for the district BJP, expressed confidence in the victory of their candidate, Bidyut Baran Mahto, from Jamshedpur. "Based on the reports received so far from the constituency, we are confident that Bidyut Baran Mahto will emerge the winner. Almost all the political analysts of the city have expressed confidence in his victory, and we are all assured," said Modi.
He further elaborated on the efforts of the party workers, who were deeply involved in the election campaign and worked hard to mobilize voters. "The voters wanted good leadership in the Jamshedpur constituency, and their only option was Bidyut Baran Mahto. Not only Jamshedpur, but I have full faith that BJP will win eight seats in the State, and the NDA, under the leadership of Modi, will form the government at the Centre," opined another BJP leader.
In the sixth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Jamshedpur recorded an impressive voter turnout of 67.68%. Reports indicate that all four Assembly seats under the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) – Baharagora, Ghatsila, Jugsalai, and Potka – recorded high voting percentages. The JMM camp is upbeat with a hope that the increased turnout signals a will for change among the voters.
JMM leaders are equally optimistic about their leader, Samir Mohanty. A senior JMM functionary stated, "Mohanty has given a tough fight to all the contestants, and people have shown faith in the leadership of Hemant Soren. We are confident that our candidates across the State will rise in counting exercises."
Significantly, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is betting on Baharagora MLA Samir Mohanty, given the substantial support from the Mahto community, which constitutes 22% of the electorate, second only to the tribal voters at 28% in the Jamshedpur Lok Sabha seat, designated as a general category constituency.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the Mahagathbandhan had fielded JMM leader and current Chief Minister Champai Soren, who suffered a significant defeat to the BJP candidate, Bidyut Baran Mahato, securing 59.4% of the vote share compared to Soren's 33%.
The anticipation and excitement are palpable across Jamshedpur, with political discussions dominating conversations in offices, markets, and public spaces. "The only topic we have for discussion in our office is about the results. People have their own opinions, but I certainly feel that Mahto is the local favourite," said an employee of a private bank.
As the counting exercise inches closer, the political workers and supporters of both BJP and JMM are eagerly waiting to see the outcome of their hard-fought campaigns. The results, expected soon, will reveal whether the confidence of BJP or the optimism of JMM will prevail in the Jamshedpur constituency and beyond.
