BJP to contest Jharkhand poll in alliance with JD(U), student outfit: Himanta Biswa Sarma

The BJP will contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Jharkhand in alliance with NDA partners AJSU Party and Janata Dal (United), Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday.

Sarma, who is the BJP’s Jharkhand election co-in-charge, said the seat-sharing agreement with the allies had been done on 99 per cent of the segments. “Discussions are underway for the remaining one or two seats and it will be finalised soon,” he said, while speaking to the media in Ranchi.

Sarma said a formal announcement in this regard would be made after “Pitri Paksha”, which ends on October 2. Elections to the 81-member Assembly in Jharkhand are due later this year.

On Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s letter to Health Minister JP Nadda seeking assistance for a detailed investigation into the death of aspirants who had appeared for physical tests as part of a recruitment drive to appoint excise personnel, Sarma said the probe should be done by the state government.

“As the deaths took place in Jharkhand, the first responsibility of investigation lies with the state government. If the CM thinks an extensive investigation is required, he should write to the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court for a judicial probe. We will welcome this,” Sarma said.

At least 15 aspirants reportedly lost their lives while undertaking physical tests during the recent drive. The BJP has been attacking the Soren government over the deaths, alleging they were victims of the administration’s mismanagement.

Expressing concern over alleged infiltration into Jharkhand, Sarma said “infiltrators have hijacked” the state.

99% seats decided

The seat-sharing agreement with the allies has been done for 99% of the segments. — Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam CM