Parties gear up to celebrate, candidates busy in calculations

Ranchi/Dumka/Hazaribag: Confident of a convincing win in all parliamentary seats in Jharkhand, the BJP’s state unit is busy making a massive laddoo that will weigh 1,001kg.
To be unveiled on the day of counting of votes (Thursday), the giant sweet will be at the centre of saffron brigade’s victory celebrations at its state headquarters in the evening after the results of 14 parliamentary constituencies of Jharkhand are announced. Over 12 senior BJP karyakartas went to a sweet shop in Itki Road to extend helping hand for making the laddoo on Wednesday morning.
The saffron brigade on Wednesday promised celebrations at par with Holi and Diwali. “There will be crackers, nagadas and gulal. Two giant LED televisions will be installed so that the karyakartas and the people can watch minute-by-minute developments,” Prem Mittal, a member of BJP’s media wing, said.
While the parties are busy planning their celebrations, candidates remained busy in last moment preparations ahead of the counting day. Congress’s Ranchi candidate Subodh Kant Sahay held meetings with polling agents of mahagahtbandhan constituents. BJP candidate Sanjay Seth held meetings with Ranchi, Khijri and Kanke MLAs to review their counting day preparations.
In the evening, Seth visited a temple in Sarjana Chowk in Ranchi. “Though I am contesting elections for the first time, I am not nervous. If I lose, I will go back to being a regular karyakarta,” he told TOI.
JMM concentrated its forces in Dumka, where Shibu Soren is rooting for his ninth victory. According to pary workers, Shibu remained confined to his house throughout the day. Some of his close confidantes, however, called on Shibu in the morning.
“There was no sign of anxiety on Guruji’s face at all regarding counting of votes as he is confident enough to sail through for the ninth term,” a senior JMM leader said.
On the contrary, JMM working president and Shibu’s heir apparent Hemant Soren, who is still camping in Dumka, spent his day discussing and analysing the poll prospects of his father and other party candidates over phone.
“Following the exit poll results pointing at NDA’s return in power Hemantji appeared to be a little upset,” said a visitor to Sorens’ house. BJP’s Nishikant Dubey and Sunil Soren from Godda and Dumka LS constituencies, however, appeared more confident after the exit poll reports.
In Hazaribag, BJP’s Jayant Sinha also sounded confident. Sinha, who returned here from New Delhi on Thursday, said he was confident of a convincing victory.