Goa party enters Jharkhand fray with 3 winners

Manjhi had contested the 2000 Assembly elections on a UGDP ticket along with Sudesh Mahato. Though Mahato, who has parted ways with the UGDP, entered the fray this time as a candidate of the All Jharkhand Students’ Union, Manjhi and Tirkey preferred to contest as UGDP candidates.

Two reasons have been cited for their choosing to contest on UGDP tickets. While these ‘Independent’ candidates are not attached to any mainstream party, in tribal-dominated constituencies like Manoharpur and Mandar, where trees and leaves are still considered sacred, the candidates felt that the UGDP’s symbol, joda patta (a pair of leaves), would fetch votes.

Asked which between the two, the BJP-JD(U) and Congress-JMM combine, they would support, Stephen Marandi made it clear he would back the Congress-led alliance, while Manjhi and Tirkey preferred not to reveal their decision. ‘‘We will take a decision in a day or two,’’ said Manjhi.

TOTAL SEATS 81/DECLARED 81
		• BJP 30 • Cong 9 • NCP 1 • JMM 17 • RJD 7 • UGDP 3 • FB 2 • JD-U 6 • CPI-ML (Lib) 1 • Others 3 • Ind 2 • WINNERS • CM Arjun Munda (BJP) from Kharsawan • Former Union minister Karia Munda (BJP) from Khijri • Independent Stephen Marandi from Dumka • Former Speaker and JD(U) state chief Inder Singh Namdhari from Daltonganj • LOSERS • JMM chief Shibu Soren’s eldest son Durga from Jama • Dy Speaker Saba Ahmad (RJD) from Tundi