Aggressive posturing by the UPA and the JMM to contest the forthcoming bypolls has forced the ruling BJP to look for an outsider at Panki.
lal Suraj, son of former MlA and arc rival of Bidesh Singh, Madhu Singh joined the party in the presence of BJP State president Ravindra Rai and met Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Monday. With this, he has staked his claim for the party ticket. lal Suraj had contested on JMM’s ticket and polled 22,882 votes and faired fourth in 2014.
Ravindra Rai said it would take couple of more days to formally declare names while insiders suggest that although there is no confusion about Godda, the saffron party was unsure about the other constituency.
“The party has never registered victory in Panki. last time, the novice candidate (Amit Tiwari) got whatever vote was due to the wave. Some names likes of Prem Singh and few more had come up but the leadership was also exploring whether anyone even from outside the party can win the election for them and lal Suraj can be the one,” said a senior party leader.
The BJP is not much worried about Congress probable Devender Singh aka Bittu Singh, son of late Bidesh Singh, who does not possess clout anywhere near to his strongman father. “Bittu Singh is more a contractor and is known for managing road or bridge tenders. He has not been popular among the masses, neither has the image of a Robinhood like Bidesh Singh. Congress does not have any considerable cadre vote at Panki either,” said a party functionary who was part of the team that visited the constituency to get a feel of the situation in the run up to the candidate selection.
The real worry came in the form of Shashi Bhushan Mehta’s induction in the JMM who has consolidated his position election after election. Mehta contesting as an Independent got polled 11,297 votes in 2009 and jumped to 39,180, just about 2,000 less than Congress’ Bidesh Singh, in 2014.
“He is a very strong candidate at Panki and got his own support base. He has been getting votes consistently. This time with our banner and number of issues against the BJP Government and misdeeds of Bidesh Singh, he is sure to win the bypoll,” said JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya justifying the decision of his party to rope in Mehta.
On the other, RJD’s nominee Sanjay Prasad Yadav filed his papers before Godda SDM Saurabh Kumar on Monday. Presence of JVM leader Pradeep Yadav besides, other senior RJD leaders has also drawn the battle lines depicting a triangular fight on both the seats undergoing poll on May 16.
The Congress, which is also backing the amalgamation of RJD, JD(U) and JVM and has got Panki seat in return, is waiting approval of its high command to name its candidate. State Congress president Sukhdeo Bhagat along with ClP leader Alamgir Alam is in Delhi for final consultation. Sources said that the party would announce its nominee by Wednesday.