Campaign ends in Ghatshila as both sides claim momentum

The campaign for Ghatshila by-election came to an end on Sunday evening with both alliances staking firm claims and trading barbs. Polling will take place on 11 November for the Assembly seat that fell vacant after the death of JMM MLA Ramdas Soren.

On the final day, Chief Minister Hemant Soren led a roadshow in support of JMM candidate Somesh Soren. JMM star campaigner Kalpana Soren also canvassed in the constituency. The party said voters would again endorse the ruling alliance and give Somesh Soren a bigger margin than in 2024.

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The BJP camp put up a strong show as well. Former Chief Minister Champai Soren, campaigning for his son and BJP candidate Babu Lal Soren, became emotional while responding to Hemant Soren’s earlier remark calling him and his son “bulls who fattened on JMM and left before ploughing the field.”

Champai said it was an insult not only to his family but to Jharkhand’s movement and those who sacrificed for statehood. He said the comment reflected an anti-tribal attitude and asked what concrete steps the government had taken for tribal workers and farmers.

Champai accused the government of suppressing tribal voices and called the police action on protesters “shameful.” He said he never demanded a ticket for his son and asserted that voters would decide who faced injustice.

BJP leaders claimed a clear victory. Dhanbad MP Dhullu Mahto said the party was only working to increase the winning margin. He cited incidents during the present government’s term and said tribal communities had suffered the most. JMM’s Kunal Sarangi countered that the electorate stood with the party and crowds were proof of support. He said the ruling alliance had delivered on development, women’s empowerment and infrastructure.

The campaign also saw sniping over the absence of top-tier BJP campaigners. JMM leaders suggested the party was avoiding responsibility for a likely defeat. Congress spokesperson Rakesh Sinha said senior BJP leaders had distanced themselves and argued that voters would not trust those who left their own party. BJP MLA C P Singh responded that the party already had enough leaders on the ground and said the organisation, not individuals, wins elections.

BJP’s acting state president and MP Aditya Sahu urged the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polling. He alleged the state government might misuse administrative machinery at sensitive booths and asked the police not to act as a political tool. He said voters were in a mood for change and the by-poll would mark a beginning against what he called a corrupt and ineffective government.

With both sides confident of victory, the contest in Ghatshila now turns to the voters. Counting will follow the polling on 11 November.