New Delhi/Ranchi, October 6: The Election Commission (EC) on Monday announced November 11 as the polling date for the Ghatsila Assembly by-election in Jharkhand, with counting scheduled for November 14. The seat fell vacant following the death of Education Minister Ramdas Soren, prompting the by-election.
As per the EC, poll notification will be issued on October 13, while nominations can be filed till October 21. Scrutiny will take place on October 22, and candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 24, the EC informed during a press conference in Delhi.
The by-election will be held alongside the Bihar Assembly polls.
Within the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), discussions are underway to field Somesh Soren, son of the late Ramdas Soren. The party is expected to capitalize on the sympathy wave and its established influence in the tribal-dominated constituency. However, the JMM has not officially announced its candidate yet.
Party insiders suggest that Chief Minister Hemant Soren will announce the name “at an appropriate time.” Sources also suggest that if the BJP fields Jayshree Soren, granddaughter of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren and daughter of Sita Soren, who recently joined the BJP, the JMM might consider nominating Ramdas Soren’s wife to strengthen the emotional connect among voters.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to make a comeback in Jharkhand’s tribal politics through this by-election. The saffron party had won 21 seats in the 2024 state election.
Like the JMM, the BJP has also not declared its candidate yet. As per sources, the state leadership has shortlisted names and will soon forward them to the central leadership for final approval.
Among the frontrunners are Babulal Soren (son of former CM Champai Soren), Lakhan Mardi (State Vice President, ST Morcha), and Ramesh Hansda (Central Executive Member).
In the 2024 Assembly elections, Babulal Soren had contested from Ghatsila but lost to Ramdas Soren. The BJP now sees this by-election as a crucial opportunity to regain ground in the ST heartland.
