Arjun and Kali Charan File Nominations for Khunti Lok Sabha Seat, Campaigns Intensify
In a bid to retain the Khunti (ST) Lok Sabha seat, outgoing Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress candidate Kali Charan Munda have filed their nominations, setting the stage for a re-run of the closely contested election of 2019.
As campaigning gains momentum, prominent leaders from both sides are actively engaging in rallies and roadshows to woo voters. The electoral dynamics are being shaped by issues of development, unfulfilled promises, and the leadership qualities of the candidates.
On Tuesday, Arjun Munda, a former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, submitted his nomination papers accompanied by a host of BJP leaders, including state chief Babulal Marandi and Ajsu-P president Sudesh Mahto. Following the filing, a roadshow was organized, culminating in a rally addressed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
Kali Charan Munda filed his nomination papers in two sets, accompanied by Congress’s Kolebira MLA Bhushan Bara and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Tamar MLA Vikas Singh Munda. Earlier, Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, AICC’s Jharkhand-in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir, and state Congress president Rajesh Thakur addressed an election rally in his support.
Arjun Munda and BJP leaders are banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity to secure a victory in Khunti. Sudesh Mahto emphasized the importance of winning all 14 seats in the state to enhance the BJP’s chances of crossing the 400-seat mark in the Lok Sabha. He also highlighted the significance of electing a strong leader with ministerial experience.
In contrast, the Congress camp, led by Kali Charan Munda and Chief Minister Champai Soren, is criticizing the BJP government’s performance and unfulfilled promises. Champai Soren accused the Modi government of engaging in rhetoric without delivering on its pledges, such as creating 2 crore jobs and depositing Rs 15 lakh in every bank account.
Meanwhile, Babulal Marandi dismissed the claims of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) that the BJP was responsible for the imprisonment of former Chief Minister Hemant Soren. He alleged that the JMM was involved in the illegal acquisition of tribal land, leading to Hemant Soren’s arrest.
The Khunti Lok Sabha constituency will go to polls on May 13, and the results are expected to have significant implications for the political landscape of Jharkhand and the national level.
