Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to face a tough contest in Jashpur assembly constituency with the tribals taking up arms against what they termed as the party imposing candidates from Uraon community in the poll battle.
As per party insiders, Jashpur which is Scheduled Tribe (ST) seat is dominated by Uraon, Korva and Nageshia tribal communities. The Korva and Nageshia tribes have been traditional BJP voters.
Recently, the former Housing and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Bhagat, who was expelled from the party for six years for anti-party activities. Just before the Assembly Election in 2013, Bhagat along with Rajinder Pal Singh Bhatia, Vimal Chopda, Balmukund Dewangan and Shivcharan Cherwa were expelled for anti-party activities.
Now, Bhagat had returned to party fold while Vimal Chopda fought as an Independent candidate and won the election.
Suresh Ram Bhagat, the BJP leader based in Jashpur when contacted said, ‘Korva’ and ‘Nageshia’ tribe for the last three assembly elections have been demanding representation, who are mainly BJP supporters.
“Six months ago also, similar demand was raised with the party for leadership. Once again they have given ticket to Uraon candidate, Govindram Bhagat,” he said.
Bhagat added, “Korva community is around 40,000 votes while Nageshia is 22,000 votes while Uraon community which is around 30,000 votes go to Congress only, while other votes are divided over Bahujan Samaj Party and BJP.”
“This time, as per the meeting held, three candidates from Korva or Nageshia community would file nomination and single person would then fight election. We are relying on the support of both communities for votes in state assembly but in Lok Sabha we would support the BJP,” he said.
“The party decides the name of candidate based on the inputs, performance and other factors prevailing in the area. There may be many candidates in line for ticket but only one gets the party ticket,” said Sanjay Shrivastava, BJP Spokesperson on the rebellion within the party from different parts of state.
He said that last time also similar incidents occurred but the party workers were pacified because BJP has around 35 lakh party workers, so there will be issues and it would be resolved through party forum and efforts.
On question of change candidate, Shrivastava said that there is no chance for change of candidate as already the final decision has been taken by Central Election Committee of the party. BJP has never changed any candidate, he said.