Namdhari whose darling

BJP, JD(U) try to rope in Namdhari for LS poll

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi Monday, November 24, 2008

Two of the NDA allies in Jharkhand — the BJP and the JDU — are trying to rope in the independent MLA from Daltongang, Inder Singh Namdhari, in their party fold, and both parties want to field him from Chatra parliamentary constituency for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election.

Well-placed sources in the BJP revealed that the name of Namdhari has already figured as party candidate from Chatra in the list of the party candidates that the Jharkhand BJP sent to its Central high command for final approval.

The speculation of JD(U) too willing to net in Namdhari in its fold gained ground after the meting of the working committee of State JD(U) where party demanded six parliamentary seats from BJP to contest next LS poll which included Chatra also. Commenting over it, a senior party leader said that JD(U) was willing to field Namdhari from Chatra provided the erstwhile party leader makes his comeback in the party.

Interestingly for both the parties, Namdhari is a sure sort candidate who could manage electoral victory of party. However, Namdhari, who was recently selected as the best MLA on the 8th foundation year of Jharkhand Assembly did not disclose the future course of his action. Talking to The Pioneer correspondent, Namdhari said: "I will disclose this thing after two months whether I will be a BJP candidate or will go with JD(U)."

Will Namdhari move to JD(U), the party that he left in the past? The sources close to him said that Namdhari had some parley over this issue with the central leadership of the JD(U).Sources confided that he was not willing to move in JD(U) fold even though the central leadership of JD(U) wants him to take rein of the party during the next LS elections.

BJP would be a safe option for Namdhari than JD(U) at a time when BJP is not willing to share seat with JD(U) for the next general elections.Trying to put a lid over the speculation of Namdhari's re-entry in the party and he becoming a party candidate from Chatra, JD(U) State president Jaleswar Mahto said: "This is not in my knowledge whether party is trying for his comeback or not… to the best of my knowledge, we have not discussed his candidature and any proposal as such." He further said that party had a lot of good candidates from Chatra.