Jharkhand Election Results 2024: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA bloc clinched a decisive victory in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, securing 56 of the 81 seats and forming the government for a second consecutive term. The majority mark stands at 41. Chief Minister Hemant Soren attributed the victory to the people's faith in democracy, saying, “We have passed the exam of democracy.”
Jharkhand Election Results: JMM’s Resounding Performance
The JMM emerged as the driving force behind the coalition’s success, winning 34 of the 43 seats it contested. Its allies also performed commendably: the Congress won 16 out of 30 seats, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) four of six seats, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation two of four seats.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren retained his Barhait seat for a third term, defeating BJP’s Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes. His younger brother, Basant Soren, held on to the Dumka seat, defeating BJP’s Sunil Soren by 14,588 votes. Meanwhile, Soren’s wife, Kalpana Soren, secured a significant victory in the Gandey constituency, defeating BJP’s Munniya Devi by 17,142 votes.
However, not all family members saw success. Sita Soren, Hemant’s sister-in-law, lost in Jamtara to Congress candidate Irfan Ansari, who won by a margin of 43,676 votes.
Notably, Congress candidate Nisat Alam, wife of former minister Alamgir Alam, won the Pakur seat with the largest margin of 86,029 votes, defeating AJSU Party’s Azhar Alam.
Jharkhand Election Results: As BJP Faces Defeat, Himanta Biswa Sarma Calls It 'Deeply Painful'
The BJP, which ran an aggressive campaign focusing on alleged infiltration and corruption in the JMM-led government, managed to win 23 seats, falling short of its expectations. Party state chief Babulal Marandi won from Dhanwar and ex-CM Champai Soren, who switched to the BJP, claimed the Saraikella seat. However, BJP candidates Meera Munda (Potka) and Babu Lal Soren (Ghatsila) faced defeats besides Sita Soren who fought in her late father-in-law's seat.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, co-in-charge of BJP's campaign in Jharkhand, expressed disappointment over the results. “The loss in Jharkhand is deeply painful for me personally,” he said, adding that the party respects the people's mandate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also acknowledged the JMM-led coalition’s win and pledged to continue championing the issues of the people.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah thanked Jharkhand voters for supporting the BJP, which received the highest percentage of votes despite the defeat.
Jharkhand Election Results: Hemant Soren Vows To Transform Jharkhand Into 'Golden State'
In his victory address, Hemant Soren vowed to transform Jharkhand into a “golden state” with self-governance (“Abua Raj”). “Let’s resolve to remove Jharkhand’s ‘backward’ tag and make it developed,” he said, as quoted by news agency PTI. AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir affirmed that Soren would continue as Chief Minister.
The Congress, a junior partner in Jharkhand’s coalition, faced a tough electoral landscape, performing poorly in Maharashtra while managing to maintain its footing in Jharkhand.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge appreciated the people of Jharkhand for rejecting the "divisive and false politics" of the BJP. "Jai Johar! The people of Jharkhand have given priority to the issues of their rights, water, forests and land. They have rejected divisive and false politics. They have defeated the game of misuse of constitutional institutions. Thanks to Shri @HemantSorenJMM ji and all the leaders of the alliance. Heartfelt gratitude to every Congress worker. We have to fight for social justice, raise the voice of the people, and form an accountable government. Confidence remains intact, coalition government!" he wrote.
Rahul Gandhi hailed the coalition's success as a victory for constitutional protection and the state's natural resources but called for introspection over Maharashtra’s outcomes. "Heartfelt thanks to the people of Jharkhand for giving a huge mandate to India. Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Chief Minister Hemant Soren ji, all the workers of Congress and JMM for this victory. This victory of the alliance in the state is a victory of the protection of water, forest and land along with the Constitution," he wrote for the Jharkhand win.
The Jharkhand election results mark a significant boost for the INDIA bloc amid evolving political dynamics, with the JMM consolidating its position as the state's dominant force.