Apparently not feeling confident in view of the pro-BJP mood sweeping the country, Chief Minister Hemant Soren may opt to file his nominations from two constituencies for the Assembly polls.
It is learnt that the Chief Minister is considering seriously the “demand” of his party workers and the JMM has also identified the safer seats for him in Santhal Pargana.
Sources in the party said that apart from his sitting seat Dumka, Hemant Soren may be fielded by the JMM from Barhait constituency as well.
Though the party would not admit that Hemant Soren was feeling jittery, but a political watcher said that the Soren junior was planning to contest two seats, both in Santhal Pargana area, considered a JMM bastion, so that he could ensure to return to the Assembly and continue to control the party.
“His candidature from Dumka is final but workers from Barhait constituency have appealed to him to contest from here as well. The party has kept aside both the seats for him and not announced candidates in its first list,” explained a top JMM functionary on Monday. Barhait is also a sitting seat of the party however its MlA Hemlal Murmu had switched over to the BJP ahead of the lok Sabha polls.
“Barhait has been kept on reserve and if the CM decides against contesting from two constituencies together the seat may go to Basant Soren,” said the leader. Basant is the younger brother to the CM.
It is also learnt that old guard of the JMM Stephen Marandi may make a comeback into the party fold. “He is in touch and likely to make a comeback. Though, he would not be given ticket from Dumka and that is why the delay is,” said a top JMM leader.
Former JMM MlA Marandi had joined the Jharkhand Vikas Morhca via Congress and has already been allotted ticket from Dumka Assembly constituency by the Babulal Marandi-led party.