With confidence level high following a superb performance in the Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Chief Minister Raghubar Das has started preparing to contest and sweep Assembly polls slated to be held before the end of this year in the State.

The party has planned to maintain a winning streak, setting a target to win 60 to 65 seats in the Assembly election.

Earlier, Das had asked the party leaders and cadres not to defuse their energy, but to start preparing for year-end Assembly elections. He asked them to prepare the road map for Assembly elections.

Toward the same end, core committee meetings are to be held. The BJP cadres have also been asked to work so that people get benefits of Modi Government's schemes -Ayushman Bharat, etc..

The ruling party appears to have an advantage because so-called Mahagathbandhan—constituents of four parties — is still to recover from shocking defeat. In fact, these opposition parties are in a quandary, introspecting whether to go in alliance or ‘Ekla Chalo’ (walk alone) in Assembly elections.

At the two-day JMM central committee meet held recently, differences cropped up between party leaders and MLAs over fighting the elections alone or going with the alliance. It is learnt that at JMM central committee meet, some of the leaders pointed out that in Lok Sabha elections, Congress, JVM (P) and RJD had failed to transfer their traditional votes for JMM candidates. 

So, these JMM leaders even raised the issue that by remaining with Congress alliance, JMM had not benefitted. Many of its cadres had switched side and join the ruling party. The same process is expected before the forthcoming Assembly polls.

However, JMM general secretary, Supriyo Bhattacharya said, “The party is yet to decide whether to go in alliance or contest independently. The decision will be taken after consultation with senior leaders and party members. At present, the party is focused on strengthening its base.”

Congress is in an unprecedented mess. It has no leader, no worker or cadre worth its name. Even RJD has suffered from multiple splits.JVM(P) led by ex-CM Babulal Marandi who had lost LS poll in Koderma has lost cadres. Even its sole MLA Pradeep Yadav is facing sexual harassment case and his anticipatory bail was rejected by the court.

Against this background, BJP has an advantage. Which is why perhaps Das boast to win an absolute majority in 81 members Assembly where it had won 42 seats in 2014.