SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 22: The tradition of distributing sweets after election victories continues in Dhanbad, but with a twist this time. If NDA candidates win, Ladoo will be distributed, while Jalebi will mark the victory of INDI Alliance candidates tomorrow.
Despite predictions from various exit polls forecasting a 5-2 result, taking lessons from the Haryana assembly polls result neither the INDI Alliance nor the NDA has placed advance orders for sweets this time, a practice they followed in previous elections.
Madhulika, a well-known chain of sweet shops in Dhanbad, which has traditionally supplied sweets to political parties on election result day, confirmed on Friday that no orders for Ladoo or Jalebi had been placed yet.
BJP to distribute Laddos
In Dhanbad, the NDA (BJP) is contesting all six seats, while the INDI Alliance has Congress contesting three seats (Dhanbad Sadar, Jharia, and Baghmara), CPIML on two seats (Sindri, Nirsa), and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha on one (Tundi).
Despite five agencies predicting an edge for BJP in their exit polls, the district BJP organization has not placed an order for sweets in advance. BJP district president Shrawan Roy, when contacted today morning, confirmed that Ladoo would be distributed after the victory of their candidates. “Of course, we are going to win all six seats and will distribute Ladoos,” he said.
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Jalebi for INDI Alliance victory
Brajendra Prasad Singh, vice-president of the state Congress committee and chairman of the state disciplinary committee, stated that Jalebi would be distributed tomorrow if an INDI Alliance candidate wins.
“We are overconfident of victory. Since Jalebi making process takes time, we would distribute Ladoo also,” Singh said.
BJP’s confidence in Sindri and Dhanbad Sadar
BJP vice-president Sanjay Jha, election agent for Sindri assembly constituency, expressed confidence in Tara Devi’s victory. He has already ordered one quintal of Ladoo in advance from Kusum Bihar Ladoo Factory for tomorrow.
“Distribution of Ladoo after victory is our tradition. Since we are confident of Tara Devi’s victory, I have placed the order,” Jha said.
BJP’s preparations for massive Ladoo distribution
For Dhanbad Sadar assembly, BJP workers have made massive arrangements for distributing Ladoo after the vote counting. BJP candidate Raj Sinha, who is seeking his third consecutive victory, is in direct competition with Congress’ Ajay Dubey.
BJP district general secretary Manan Prasun stated that this time the quantity of Ladoo ordered is significantly higher than the 2019 assembly elections, as the workers’ spirit is high.
Poll predictions for Dhanbad
Poll pundits predict that BJP has a strong chance of winning three of the six seats: Dhanbad Sadar, Baghmara, and Nirsa. JMM has a fair chance in Tundi, while the contest is expected to be close between BJP and Congress on the Jharia seat. The Sindri seat is anticipated to be a 50-50 contest between BJP and CPIML.
