The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha secured a significant victory in the Ghatsila Assembly bypoll, defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party by a substantial margin. Somesh Chandra Soren of JMM won with 1,04,794 votes, surpassing BJP's Babulal Soren who received 66,270 votes. The bypoll became necessary after the death of sitting legislator and education minister Ramdas Soren, whose son Somesh was fielded by the party. The contest was viewed as a prestige battle between the ruling alliance and the opposition. Chief Minister Hemant Soren campaigned aggressively, mobilizing his entire Cabinet for the election. The result strengthens JMM's position in the tribal-dominated Kolhan region and within the INDIA alliance. Voter turnout reached 74.63 percent, an increase from the previous assembly election. The outcome does not significantly alter the government's stability, as the JMM-led alliance holds a comfortable majority in the 81-member assembly.
JMM Dominates Ghatsila Bypoll with Strong Margin
Somesh Chandra Soren won the Ghatsila bypoll decisively, securing 1,04,794 votes against BJP candidate Babulal Soren's 66,270 votes, resulting in a victory margin of 38,524 votes. The Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha candidate Ramdas Murmu finished third with 11,542 votes. Somesh maintained a consistent lead throughout counting day. Early rounds saw fluctuating positions between second and third place, with JLKM initially ahead of BJP in areas like Galudih where they traditionally perform well. As counting progressed from Ghatsila town, Dhalbhumgarh, Ghurabanda, Jadugoda, and Musabani, BJP moved into second position. The victory margin was significantly larger than the 2024 election, when Ramdas Soren defeated Babulal by 22,446 votes. Voter participation increased to 74.63 percent from the previous election.
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