JMM-Cong Poised To Win Jharkhand

In the outgoing assembly, the BJP had 37 and its ally, the AJSU, five seats.

- Harmeet Shah Singh

In what could be another jolt to the BJP after it lost Maharashtra recently, the saffron party could be unseated from power in Jharkhand next, with an India Today-AxisMy-India exit poll forecasting a comfortable lead for the opposition alliance in the state Assembly elections.

The BJP, which had to go solo to the five-phase poll, is expected to win from 22 to 32 constituencies in the 81-seat House. The opposition alliance comprising the JMM, the Congress and the RJD is likely to secure 38 to 50 seats. The majority mark is 41.

In the outgoing assembly, the BJP had 37 and its ally, the AJSU, five seats. In 2014, the JMM’s tally stood at 19, the Congress’ six and the Babulal Marandi-led JVM eight constituencies. Six of the JVM’s eight MLAs later switched loyalty to the BJP. The 2014 House also had six others.