New Delhi [India], October 15 : Following the announcement of the election schedule for Jharkhand, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Tuesday expressed confidence in winning the upcoming elections in the state, stating that land taken from tribals by Muslims would be returned to its original owners.
"BJP will form the government in Jharkhand with a two-thirds majority... The tribal population has decreased from 45 per cent to 27-28 per cent. By the next census, it will be down to 22 per cent. Muslims have increased by 4 per cent across the country, but here (in Jharkhand) they have risen by 15-16 per cent. These are Bangladeshi infiltrators, and we will drive them away. We will implement the NRC. The land taken from tribals by Muslims will be returned to the tribals," Dubey asserted.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the election schedule for the state earlier in the day. Voting will take place in two phases in Jharkhand on November 13 and 20.
The counting of votes for both Jharkhand and Maharashtra will occur on November 23. The last dates for filing nominations for the two phases are October 25 and 29, with scrutiny scheduled for October 28 and 30. The last dates for withdrawal of candidatures are October 30 and November 1, respectively.
According to the ECI, a total of 2.60 crore voters are eligible to vote in Jharkhand, comprising 1.31 crore male and 1.29 crore female voters. The state has 11.84 lakh first-time voters, and there are 66.84 lakh young voters. Senior citizens aged above 85 can vote from home.
The term of the Jharkhand assembly will end on January 5, 2025, with elections scheduled in 81 constituencies across the state.