Jharkhand Assembly elections: Dhanwar records 62.38 pc voters turnout
The Jharkhand Assembly elections concluded with an impressive 68.01% voter turnout overall, while the Dhanwar seat saw a solid 62.38% participation. Voting, which began at 7 am, ended by 6 pm, marking the conclusion of a major electoral exercise in the state.
Dhanwar, an important Assembly constituency in Jharkhand, is set to witness a fierce contest in the Dhanwar is located in the Giridih district of Jharkhand and has traditionally been a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, in recent elections, the seat has seen a shift in voting patterns. The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) (JVM(P)) has made significant inroads here, challenging the BJP’s dominance.
Key candidates in the fray
Babulal Marandi (BJP)
Babulal Marandi, a former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a senior leader of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik), is contesting the Dhanwar seat again. In the 2019 elections, he secured a comfortable win with 52,352 votes, leading the BJP's Laxman Prasad Singh by over 18,000 votes. Marandi is seen as a strong contender in the region due to his political experience and leadership.
Raj Kumar Yadav (CPI(ML)L)
Raj Kumar Yadav, representing the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation (CPI(ML)L), is also in the race. He had previously won the seat in the 2014 elections with 50,634 votes. While his influence is strong among specific voter segments, it remains to be seen if he can repeat his success against formidable rivals like Marandi.
Rajdesh Ratan (JLKM)
Rajdesh Ratan is contesting on behalf of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Congress Morcha (JLKM). While his presence in the contest is notable, it is expected that he will primarily play a role in splitting the vote share, especially among the non-BJP voters.
Local issues:
The issues dominating the Dhanwar constituency in the 2024 election are similar to those across Jharkhand:
Infiltration of Bangladeshi: One of the major issues raised by BJP leaders is the alleged infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into the tribal areas of Santhal Pargana. BJP claims that the state government has failed to address this issue, which is seen as a threat to the region's tribal demographic.
Corruption Allegations: The ruling government, led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), faces accusations of corruption. The BJP has focused its campaign on attacking the Soren government’s handling of various developmental and welfare programs, accusing it of mismanagement and corruption.
Welfare and Development: Local voters are also concerned about the delivery of welfare benefits, such as the monthly cash transfer scheme introduced by the JMM government. While supporters of the JMM defend the scheme as a necessary step for the poor, the BJP has criticized it as a tool for political gain.
Electorate size
The total electorate in Dhanwar is 3,07,716 voters, consisting of a relatively balanced mix of male and female voters. The voters in this constituency come from diverse backgrounds, including tribal communities, backward classes, and a significant number of upper-caste voters. This diverse electorate makes the Dhanwar seat highly competitive.
Previous election results:
In the 2019 Assembly elections, Babulal Marandi (JVM(P)) won the seat with 52,352 votes, securing a lead of around 18,000 votes over BJP’s Laxman Prasad Singh who received 34,802 votes. Raj Kumar Yadav from CPI(ML)L came third with 32,245 votes.
The 2014 Assembly election was a different story. Raj Kumar Yadav (CPI(ML)L)) won the seat with 50,634 votes, defeating Babulal Marandi (JVM(P)), who received 39,922 votes, and Laxman Prasad Singh (BJP) with 31,659 votes. This marked a significant victory for the CPI(ML)L in a region that had traditionally been BJP's stronghold.
Polling booths:
In the 2024 elections, there will be 387 polling booths in Dhanwar constituency. The state of Jharkhand will have nearly 30,000 polling booths set up across the entire state.