Cornered in electoral politics of the State, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) has admitted for the first time that its going alone in lohardaga bypoll was a mistake. The party, while realising the calculation that went horribly wrong and compromised even the deposit of its official candidate Bandhu Tirkey, has also decided to mend ways and extend hands to likeminded blocs ahead of Godda by-election.
Talking in detail about the matter discussed at the party forum during its two-day central executive committee meet concluded on Tuesday, JVM’s senior leader and central treasurer KK Poddar said the party would work towards fielding a common Opposition candidate for the bypoll this time.
The Godda Assembly seat has fallen vacant following the demise of BJP MlA Raghunandan Mandal recently.
“The party believes that the mistake committed at lohardaga should not be repeated again. The party does not want to repeat it at Godda. We would toil hard for a joint candidate and try to bring secular parties such as Congress, RJD and JD (U) on the same page. It is not necessary that our candidate be considered (for the seat). Our aim is to soften the BJP,” said Poddar, who has been one of the founding members of the Babulal Marandi-led party.
The JVM had rejected Congress’ offer to contest the election in alliance and went ahead fielding Bandhu Tirkey in lohardaga. The decision led to his miserable defeat and brought party’s credibility to a new low. Moreover, party insiders say that softened stand now is more a result of non-availability of any winnable candidate from Godda than anything else.
Nevertheless, the party continues to take tough stand against its arch rival JMM and considers it more a player of the BJP camp. “We think that the JMM is weakening the struggle and unity of the Opposition parties in Jharkhand. There seems to be a clear cut understanding between the Government and JMM, may be due to some vested interest. They will have to understand their importance as a main Opposition party and should work for unity of other anti-BJP parties,” said JVM’s legislative body leader Pradeep Yadav.
Also, the party’s apex body decided to hit streets against the Government for its “failure” in thoroughly implementing Food Security Act in the State and atrocities reportedly being committed against minorities.
“We would start people’s movement in February in every district. Over 70 per cent ration cards issued to the beneficiaries are false and erroneous. Genuine beneficiaries are not getting benefits of FSA. At the same time, Muslims in many parts of the State are being intimidated and implicated in false cases. We would organise a big State level protest on February 16 at Raj Bhawan against the practice,” said Poddar informing about the decisions taken in the conclave.
In the meeting, it was also decided that organisational elections of the party would be finished before March and on April 30, the central working committee of the JVM would meet to elect its new president and to fill other important key positions at the top level.