Dumka (Jharkhand) [India], November 20 : Ahead of second voting session of Jharkhand assembly election that commenced at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, people queued up outside a polling booth in Dumka to cast their votes.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Nalin Soren said that he would like to continue with the tradition of voting early.
Speaking to ANI, Soren said "I want to continue with my tradition of voting early. Whoever is elected as the MLA, I would like to tell them to carry on with the tradition too. People would vote on the issue of development. My government would remain in power.. considering the schemes and work they have done for the people."
Meanwhile, earlier today, Jharkhand BJP Chief Babulal Marandi exuded confidence and said that the BJP-NDA alliance would secure more than 51 seats in the polls and form the government in the state as the people were discontent with the ruling Hemant Soren led JMM party in the state.
Speaking to ANI, Babulal Marandi said, "The mood of the people in Jharkhand is to change Hemant Soren led-JMM government as they have suffered under their rule in these past 5 years. People will vote for a change."
Babulal Marandi of BJP is contesting from Dhanwar constituency. He was leader of opposition in the outgoing assembly and is also the state's first CM after the formation of the first assembly in 2000. He is contesting up against JMM's Nizam Uddin Ansari.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey also exuded confidence in the BJP led NDA alliance coming to power in Jharkhand.
"We are going to form our government here with full majority. Our issues like infiltration, unemployment and corruption have reached the public...Adivasis have taken the resolve to change the Govt here. We are coming to power with a 2/3rd majority. BJP is going to form its government in Jharkhand on its own for the first time," Dubey said.
Jharkhand faces a fierce battle between the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress alliance looking to retain power while the Bharatiya Janata Party and allies seeking to remove Chief Minister Hemant Soren-led government.
Voting commenced at 7 am on Wednesday for the second phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, covering the remaining 38 seats.