Electorate defy Maoists threat in first phase to record 64.44% polling in Jharkhand

Electorate defy Maoists threat in first phase to record 64.44% polling in Jharkhand

Law Kumar MishraUpdated: Saturday, November 30, 2019, 09:17 PM IST
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ANI

In the 13 assembly constituencies, all worst hit by Maoists violence earlier, 62.87% of the electorate cast their votes and defied Maoists threat to boycott elections.

The constitutencies spread in six districts of Lohardagga, Gumla, Latehar, Garhwa, Chatra and Palamu are prone to Maoists violence and even on the polling day, four explosions took place at a polling booth of Bishunpur village in Gumla district. Naxalites tried to disturb road communication to prevent movement of security agencies by putting an IED under a bridge. None was hurt, according to deputy commissioner of Gumla, Shashi Ranjan.

Chief election officer of Jharkhand,Vinay Shankar Chaubey said on Saturday evening 64.44 per cent polling was higher compared to 63 per cent in 2014 assembly elections. Lohardagga constituetency recorded 71 per cent polling followed by, Garhwa 69 per cent.

A Congress candidate and former minister, K N Tripathi was arrested from a booth at Daltonganj on charges of brandishing his licenced pistol. He was taken into preventive custody at deputy commissioner's office and later released in the evening. Some supporters of BJP candidate, Alok Chaurasiya gheraoed him and protested his movement in the constituency. They damaged the vehicle of the candidate and physically assaulted him. Tripathi later said he had contacted the district SP about the attack, but no action was taken. He was chased by the BJP workers, he alleged and claimed in self defence he had to brandish his pistol.

In the first phase of polling, the ruling BJP faces stiff resistance from the combined opposition of Congress, RJD and JMM and it's former ally AJSU. In 2014 elections, BJP had won 8 out of 13 constituitencies involved in today's elections. But, according to the electorate who cast their votes today, the party may face worse this time. BJP has fielded 12 candidates and is supporting an independent, Binod Singh.

The former Union Minister and President of Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee, Rameshwar Oraon is pitted against his predecessor, Sukhdeo Bhagat at Lohardagga. Bhagat had joined BJP last week. Health minister, Ramchandra Chandrawanshi of BJP is facing veteran Congress leader and former MP, Chandrashekhar Dubey in Palamu. A tainted former health minister, Bhanu Pratap Shahi, who was released on bail recently after spending three years in jail following his alleged involvement in the Rs 139 crores is a BJP candidate from Bhavnagthpur.

The heat of Maharashtra is being felt in Jharkhand too, according to the political observers here who apprehended the ruling BJP prospects would be adversely affected by the AJSU too which deserted the BJP just on the eve of the elections .

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