Here's how AJSU chief Sudesh Mahato may become kingmaker in Jharkhand Assembly polls

Silli (Jharkhand): With the conclusion of the second phase of the five-phase Assembly elections, it is believed that All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) chief and former Jharkhand deputy chief minister Sudesh Mahato can become a kingmaker in the ongoing election.

Since the AJSU began its campaign, the party has not joined hands with other parties and has kept the game wide open as far as the Jharkhand Assembly polls are concerned. 

Meanwhile, AJSU chief has remained tight-lipped on forming government in Jharkhand and post-poll alliance. 

Speaking to a news organisation, Mahato said, "All I know is that this time there is going to be 'Gaanv ki Sarkar'.

Mahato's campaign slogan too, cried, "Ab ki baar Gaanv ki Sarkar (This time government of the village)" The AJSU is contesting from 53 out of 81 Assembly seats in the state.

When probed further, Mahato said that his party would form the government, but it would be too early to reveal whether he would support the BJP or the Congress-JMM alliance.

During the campaign, this regional strongman has allegedly avoided direct attacks on the BJP but targetted Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) because his primary opponent in Silli constituency is Seema Mahato of the JMM.

While Sudesh Mahato remained an MLA of Silli constituency for three consecutive terms in 2000, 2005 and 2009, he was defeated in 2014 Assembly polls by JMM's Amit Mahato and then in 2017 bypolls when Amit Mahato's wife, Seema Mahato, represented JMM.

It is also said that the ongoing election would be a tough fight between the two candidates as Sudesh Mahato and Seema Mahato are from the Mahato caste which has 30-35% population in the Silli constituency.

The five-phased Assembly election of the 81 Assembly constituencies began in Jharkhand on November 30. Polling will conclude on December 20 and counting will be held on December 23.

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