After recent deliberations in Delhi the Congress leaders from Jharkhand have almost approved the changing political scenario in the State ahead of the lok Sabha polls. Indications suggest that the Congress high command is in agreement to not only accommodate the RJD into the pre-poll alliance, that had included only the JMM so far, but also readying itself to concede as many as two seats to the lalu Prasad-led party.
Sources present in the Saturday meeting of Pradesh Congress Committee president Sukhdeo Bhagat with Jharkhand in-charge of party affairs BK Hariprasad confirmed this to The Pioneer that the Congress was certain to leave aside one lok Sabha seat for the RJD. “The leaders have made up their mind and are ready to modify the earlier agreement between the Congress and the JMM. The party would contest on nine seats which may go down even further,” said a senior party leader requesting anonymity.
The party has earlier entered into an agreement with the JMM before forming the Coalition Government in the State to share the 14 lok Sabha seats available based on 10-4 formula with no place for the RJD; which is also partnering the Hemant Soren Government. As already reported by this newspaper, considering ‘old relationship’ with RJD supremo lalu Prasad it is almost a formality to make an ‘correction’ in this regard.
Party sources confided that the partnership may even go beyond one seat. “leaders have the feeling that lalu Prasad may ask for two seats in Jharkhand. He is now admitted in the AIIMS thus a talk in this regard has not happen. But as far as JMM is concerned four seats for the party is a certainty,” said a leader.
The Shibu Soren party, though there are feelings inside that it should not settle with just four seats considering the downslide of the Congress has seen nationally, is set to get Palamau, Dumka, Jamshedpur and Giridih or Rajmahal to contest with. Initial calculations suggest that Chatra seat would go to the RJD quota and one more if ‘8-4-2’ formula gets okayed after negotiations.
The matter would also be discussed further when BK Hariprasad and Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh would be in Ranchi on Monday-Tuesday and meet PCC leaders besides coalition partners. Feeling inside the Congress is that there is not much harm to accommodate as many poll partners as possible considering tough time the party is in presently. Perhaps both — JMM and RJD — are also eyeing to capitalise onto this.