Cong nomination for RS stings JVM

Vijay Deo Jha | RANCHI | Saturday, June 5, 2010


The Central leadership of the Congress on Friday announced the name of Dhiraj Sahu as party candidate for Rajya Sabha election, leaving its alliance partner Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) fumed.

"Sahu's name has been finalised for the RS election. Talks are going on to persuade the JVM to accept the Congress candidate," a senior Congress MLA said.

Claiming that State Congress incharge K Keshav Rao has been in touch with JVM chief Babulal Marandi, he said that a final picture will emerge within a few days.

The JVM reacted sharply over the decision and decided to hold a special meeting on Saturday to announce its stand. "At this point of time I can say only that it is the decision of the Congress that came without consulting us. We had requested the Congress leadership to leave Rajya Sabha seat for the JVM," party general secretary Praveen Singh said.

The JVM argued that the Congress should leave some home space for regional party like JVM reminding that during the Assembly election the JVM had conceded more than enough seats for the Congress.

"You need to reciprocate with same gesture as we deed during election. The Congress can field and manage to win Rajya Sabha seats from any part of the country which we cannot," senior JVM leader Pradeep Yadav said. Two JVM stalwarts Saba Ahmed and Praveen Singh are the strong contenders for the Rajya Sabha seat.

Meanwhile, JMM chief Shibu Soren on Friday retracted from his statement given on last day where he announced the name of his lawyer Sanjeev Kumar as the JMM candidate for Rajya Sabha.

"His candidature is not final," Soren said to the media in Bokaro. Soren moved to New Delhi this afternoon leaving bad taste for the lawyer. Sources admitted that Soren went to New Delhi to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi under the impression that his well-wishers have actually fixed an appointment with Gandhi to discuss the politics of the State. Though, the fact is far from reality.

Soren's sudden announcement was resented by his own party leaders and the alliance partner Sudesh Mahato of the AJSU, who contested that the final announcement could be made only during the joint meeting of the alliance partners. After the fall of the Soren Government, Sudesh continued to stand with the JMM and formed an alliance for Rajya Sabha elections. At least two independent MLAs --- Chamra Linda and Bidesh Singh are the part of this alliance.

Even the division and difference among the alliance partners over the choice of the candidate are worst. Dhanbad-based Pradeep Sonthaliya is the choice of some MLAs. Sunil Mishra of Godda has the blessing of JMM general secretary Hemant soren. Another Sahid Khan of Jamshedpur is being backed by JMM MLA and former Minister in the Soren Government Hazi Hussain Ansari and a few other party MLAs of Kolhan region. All of them are stated to have sound financial background that is probably an unstated requisite to win Rajya Sabha election as far as Jharkhand is concerned.

In a peculiar number game in the Assembly none of the political party or alliance is in the position to win even a single seat. But then, they are not far away in number to win the seat provided they scratch each others' back and do not stray till the date of election: June 17.

The Congress (14) and JVM (11) together need three more votes to win. So is the case with the JMM (18), AJSU (5) that needs another five votes to win. The alliance has the support of two independent MLAs. Independents will prove crucial in tapping the balance.

BJP Parliamentary Board remained undecided over the selection of candidate despite a meeting in this regard was called in New Delhi. Party sources said that BJP national president Nitin Gadkari has been authorised to take a decision. Sources admitted that the meeting did not discus the name of any candidate.

BJP (18MLAs) is far behind in number game with the support of another two MLAs of the JD(U). It still needs another eight votes to win. The party is probably looking for a heavyweight who could be able to muster support. "We are scratching our head," a senior BJP leader said on being about the party candidate.