BJP central leaders seem to have reinforced faith on sitting lok Sabha MPs in Jharkhand as the names of candidates announced in the 3rd list on Thursday evening included most of the incumbent MPs in Jharkhand.
Names of BJP candidates were announced for 13 out of the 14 lok Sabha constituencies in Jharkhand on Thursday which included senior leaders like Karia Munda, PN Singh, Ramtahal Chaudhary. Announcement for the Jamshedpur seat has been deferred. Former MP of Ranchi Ramtahal Chaudhary will contest from Ranchi seat, while sitting MP Karia Munda will re-contest from Khunti. Dhanbad MP PN Singh will again fight for his seat, while state BJP president Ravindra Rai has been named for Koderma constituency.
Jayant Sinha, son of former Union Minister and Hazaribagh MP Yashwant Sinha has made a surprise entry in the fray from the Hazaribagh constituency, while former DGP VD Ram has been given ticket from Palamu. Sitting MPs Nishikant Dubey, Ravindra Pandey and Sudarshan Bhagat will fight from their respective constituencies — Godda, Giridih and lohardaga. Former JMM minister Hemlal Murmu will contest from Rajmahal seat. Chatra, Singhbhum and Dumka seats have been given to Sunil Singh, lakshman Gilua and Sunil Soren respectively.
Meanwhile, the long and uneasy wait for Ranchi sitting MP Sobodh Kant Sahay got over after the Central Election Committee of the Congress decided to make him official party candidate to contest lS polls from Ranchi. After a marathon meeting in Delhi on Thursday, the party, though, kept pending names for at least one lok Sabha seat-Koderma.
Sahay has been MP for two consecutive terms from Ranchi but found himself on a spot of bother when his name did not figure in the first list released last week. Though, the seasoned politician left for Delhi immediately along with host of his supporters and party office bearers to show his mettle. His meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday and later show of strength before in-change of Jharkhand BK Hariprasad said to have tilted balance in his favour.
Talking to the media after securing party ticket, Sahay thanked his supporters. “There was confusion among my supporters as my name was missing in the first list. It was just pending but the supporters were jittery about my candidature. They prayed for me and came here in Delhi in my support. I would not forget the support and gesture shown this time,” said relaxed yet emotional looking MP. The announcement also brought relief for his supporters who celebrated in Ranchi in large numbers. Sources present in Delhi hinted that name for remaining seats may come in the next CEC meet. It is likely that party besides naming candidate for Koderma may also field candidate from Chatra to indulge into a “friendly fight with RJD”, the coalition partner. Sudesh Mahto led AJSU party also announced candidates for four lok Sabha seats on Thursday.
The party will field Niel Tirkey from Khunti, who had left Congress party a day ago while UC Mehta has been ticket from Giridih. Nazrool Hasan Hashmi is to contest elections from Koderma and loknath Mahto, veteran BJP leader is to contest elections from Hazaribagh lok Sabha constituency.