In a close contest between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress alliance in Jharkhand Assembly by-election, JMM and Congress retained both the seats of Dumka and Bermo.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha candidate Basant Soren defeated his closest rival Lois Marandi of BJP by 6512 votes in Dumka. Basant Soren garnered 80190 votes which is 48.69% of the total votes polled. Lois Marandi received 73,678 votes (44.73%). By-election to Dumka seat was necessitated as Chief Minister Hemant Soren vacated the seat and retained the Barhait seat. Basant Soren is the younger brother of the CM.
While Congress candidate Kumar Jaimangal alias Anup Singh won the Bermo seat by 14,223 votes. He secured 92973, 49.37% of the total votes polled. The fight in Bermo was also a direct contest between Anup Singh of Indian National Congress, the son of Congress stalwart and sitting MLA Rajendra Prasad Singh whose death necessitated the by-election, and Yogeshwar Mahato ‘Batul’ of the BJP. Batul received 78,891 votes. Former Minister Lal Chand Mahto who fought the by-election on Bahujan Samaj Party ticket received only 4231 votes.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren congratulated both the candidates and thanked the voters of Dumka and Bermo for this victory.
Counting of votes polled in the November 3 by-elections to Dumka and Bermo assembly seats in Jharkhand began at 8 am on Tuesday amidst tight security. Votes were counted in 18 rounds in Dumka and 17 rounds in Bermo seat in Bokaro district.
