With just a few hours left for the election counting to commence, the atmosphere in Jamshedpur is charged with anticipation and excitement. Contestants and their supporters are deeply engrossed in speculation about their political fortunes, which remain sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) inside the secure strong rooms of Jamshedpur Co-operative College.
Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the arch rivals vying for the prestigious Jamshedpur Lok Sabha seat, are poised for a grand celebration following the poll verdict expected tomorrow. Each party has made elaborate preparations, including ordering garlands, colors, crackers, and laddoos, confident of their impending victory.
Sudhanshu Ojha, BJP district president, expressed his optimism, attributing the party's confidence to the Modi wave sweeping the nation. He cited exit polls predicting a sweeping victory for the BJP across the country, and Jamshedpur is expected to follow this trend. "Based on reports from the constituency, we are confident that BJP candidate Bidyut Baran Mahto will emerge victorious," Ojha stated.
In anticipation of the results, the BJP has installed an LED screen near the counting venue to monitor the incoming poll results. The party has meticulously planned a victory procession, set to move from Jubilee Park and conclude at the BJP office near Basant Talkies in Sakchi.
Meanwhile, JMM activists are equally enthusiastic. A senior JMM leader highlighted the tough competition given by their candidate, Samir Mohanty, and the trust people have shown in Hemant Soren's leadership. "We are confident that our candidate will rise in tomorrow’s counting exercise," he said. The JMM has arranged for a victory procession featuring an open jeep adorned with flowers, where their candidate will ride to thank voters. Various units of the party are also prepared to celebrate in their respective areas.
Jamshedpur's district administration is fully prepared for the vote counting of the Lok Sabha elections, set to begin tomorrow. The Jamshedpur Co-operative College has been designated as the counting center, with stringent security measures in place.
Given the sensitivity of the strong room and counting center, the administration has entrusted security to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Over 1,000 polling personnel, including counting supervisors, counting assistants, micro-observers, and six assistant returning officers, will be involved in the counting process, expected to last over five hours. The counting will begin at 8 AM and continue through 23 rounds.
East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner-cum-Election Officer for Jamshedpur parliamentary constituency, Ananya Mittal, informed the media that the entire administration building of Jamshedpur Cooperative College, housing the EVMs, has been declared a 'no-communication zone' and is under the electronic surveillance of 44 CCTV
