After Losing Ground In Jharkhand, Arjun Munda Hints BJP May Rope In AJSU-JVM To Form Govt

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Chief Minister Arjun Munda on Monday hinted that the saffron party might explore options to tie up with other parties in order to form government in the state.

Early trends pushed BJP on the back foot in Jharkhand. (File Photo/ Getty)

Ranchi: Soon after the early trends gave a strong lead to the Opposition alliance of Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morch (JMM) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Chief Minister Arjun Munda on Monday hinted that the saffron party might explore options to tie up with other parties in order to form government in the state. He, however, did not clearly said about what is the current stand of the party. Speaking to ABP News after early trends pushed BJP on the back foot in Jharkhand, Munda said, BJP is open about discussing developments with its partners however, it has its own procedure for the same. The party will decide on all possible options and whatever decision is made, we go by it. As per initial trends, the BJP is leading on 28 and Congress-JMM-RJD alliance is in 42 seats. The AJSU and the JVM are leading on four seats each. If the trends become reality, the JVM and the AJSU can together become the kingmaker in the mineral rich state. Here's what BJP leader and former Jharkhand CM Arjun Munda said On the question of Sarau Rai quitting party over some disagreements on policies of the BJP and the same was seen amongst the voters of the state, Munda said that it would not be an appropriate time to comment on this as counting of votes have started and it is not relevant anymore. However, the Central minister said that Central government has always tried for an overall progress of the country and substantial works have been done in every state and people appreciate this. Now, let see what final results of the Jharkhand Assembly elections shows. Sources in the BJP say that the party is in touch with JVM-P president Babulal Marandi and the AJSU for a possible tie up if the results throw a hung assembly. Chief Minister Raghubar Das is leading from Jamshedpur East seat, while AJSU president Sudesh Mahto is leading from Silli and JVM-P president Babulkal Marandi is ahead on Dhanwar seat. The counting of votes began at 8 a.m. in all the 24 district headquarters. The results are expected to be out by afternoon. The maximum rounds of counting will take place at Chatra with 28 rounds and the lowest will be two rounds in Chandankiyari and Taropa assembly seats. In 2014, the BJP and AJSU alliance fetched 42 seats, but Sudesh Mahto, who led the AJSU in the polls, decided to jump into the Jharkhand battleground alone, without his old ally.