Political activities in Jharkhand have intensified after the announcement of the dates of the assembly elections yesterday. The polls will be held in the state in two phases on the 13th and 20th of next month. Counting will be done on the 23rd.

Both NDA and India Alliance are busy finalising the list of candidates. They are involved in hectic parleys with their allies to decide on a seat-sharing formula. BJP’s Jharkhand Election co-incharge, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has said this time BJP will contest elections with the AJSU party, Janata Dal (UUnited) and Chirag Paswan-led LJP. On the other hand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will contest elections with Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and CPI-ML. JMM has authorised party President Shibu Soren and Executive President Hemant Soren to seat-sharing formula among its allies and list of contesting candidates. Meanwhile, Congress has appointed three observers in the state for Assembly elections.