BJP clinches pre-poll tie-up with AJSU in Jharkhand

NEW DELHI: BJP today clinched an alliance with All Jharkhand Students Unions for Jharkhand Assembly elections under which its junior partner will contest eight of the 81 seats in the state.

AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto today met BJP President Amit Shah and both sealed the tie-up following the recommendation of BJP's state unit, BJP General Secretary Bhupinder Yadav, who is also in charge of Jharkhand affairs, told reporters.

"BJP has decided to tie up with like-minded parties. Talks between AJSU and the state leadership were on and they have successfully concluded," he said.

BJP in its list of candidates declared yesterday had not announced names for five seats, which AJSU had won in last elections, besides three others.

AJSU has earlier been part of BJP-led coalition governments in the state but this is the first time both paties will have a pre-poll alliance.

Assembly polls in Jharkhand besides Jammu and Kashmir will be held in five phases between November 25 and December 20 and counting of votes is scheduled for December 23.