Hemant Soren's proposer Mandal Murmu joins BJP ahead of Jharkhand elections

Mandal Murmu, originally a Chief Minister Hemant Soren nominee, switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party just before the Jharkhand elections. Contesting from Barhead, Murmu joined the BJP in a move perceived as a major loss for Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. The BJP asserts that tribal support is shifting away from JMM towards them.