Jharkhand first phase polling: "Received immense love from people," says Congress' Jamshedpur East candidate Ajoy Kumar

East Singhbhum: Congress candidate from Jamshedpur East, Ajoy Kumar said that he has got immense support from the people and party workers of Jamshedpur.
Polling for the first phase of the assembly election in Jharkhand began this morning.
Speaking to ANI, Kumar thanked the voters and party workers in Jamshedpur.
"I have received immense love from the people of Jamshedpur. Good reports are coming from everywhere. I want to thank the voters and party workers of Jamshedpur. They have encouraged us.," he said.
"For 30 years, the empire of a family has been continuing here, against which we are fighting, and we will continue to fight that battle," the Congress candidate said.
Notably, in Singhbhum East, Ajoy Kumar is facing Odisha governor and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das' daughter-in-law, Poornima Das.
Earlier today he visited the Hanuman Temple and offered prayers before casting his vote in Jamshedpur.
Polling for Jharkhand's first phase began at around 7:00 am, with voters across 43 constituencies in 15 districts casting their ballots. The results will determine the fate of 683 candidates, including 73 women.
Ahead of the polling, mock voting was conducted at various polling stations in Jharkhand. Visuals showed long queues of voters, including women, waiting to cast their votes.
The BJP-led NDA is aiming to unseat the JMM-led coalition.
Key candidates in the first phase of Jharkhand's assembly elections include former Chief Minister Champai Soren (BJP) in Seraikela, and Ajoy Kumar (Congress) in Jamshedpur East, where he is facing Purnima Das Sahu, daughter-in-law of former Chief Minister Raghubar Das. In Jaganathpur, BJP's Geeta Koda, wife of former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, is contesting against Congress leader Sona Ram Sinku. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has nominated sitting Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji from Ranchi.
The remaining seats will go for polling on November 20. The counting of votes is scheduled for November 23.