"Talks underway whether we will contest in alliance or independently": Chirag Paswan on Jharkhand polls

Bokaro (Jharkhand) [India], September 29 : Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president, Chirag Paswan, announced on Sunday that his party would contest the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, with talks underway within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Chirag also hinted that his party might contest the elections independently if discussions within the alliance do not yield a favourable outcome.
He stated, "Talks are ongoing regarding whether we will contest the elections in alliance or independently in Jharkhand. If the discussions with the alliance lead to a positive result, then it is fine. LJP is capable of contesting elections from anywhere."
"We will soon make an announcement regarding this. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is a strong organisation, which will benefit us in the upcoming elections," Chirag added.
This follows a statement by Assam Chief Minister and BJP's election co-incharge for Jharkhand, Himanta Biswa Sarma, who said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would ally with Janata Dal (United) and the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) Party for the assembly polls.
"In the elections, there will be an alliance with Janata Dal (U) and the AJSU Party. The seat-sharing arrangement is almost final, with discussions pending for 1-2 seats. We will announce the alliance after Pitru Paksha ends," he said.
Meanwhile, JMM MP Mahua Maji remained tight-lipped about the seat-sharing agreement between the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress for the upcoming elections, stressing that the final decision rests with the party high commands.
She confirmed that the elections would focus on the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
The term of the Jharkhand State Assembly is set to expire on January 5, 2025, with elections scheduled for 81 constituencies (44 General, 9 SC, 28 ST) across the state. Jharkhand is set to go to the polls for its 81-member legislative assembly later this year, though the Election Commission of India (ECI) has yet to announce the dates.
On September 24, a delegation from the ECI, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, conducted a thorough review of poll preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jharkhand at Ranchi, directing central and state enforcement agencies to curb the influence of money power.
During the Commission's two-day review visit from September 23-24, representatives from national and state political parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, National People's Party, AJSU Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and Rashtriya Janata Dal, met with the Commission.