Politics in the State has intensified with the announcement of election for two Rajya Sabha seats. While the ruling BJP, looking confident of winning one seat, is also eying for the other, the Opposition, on the other hand, is posturing to spoil the party.
Congress’ MP Dheeraj Sahu who has already thrown his hat into the ring called upon JVM supremo Babulal Marandi on Wednesday apparently requesting him not to repeat the 2015 episode. The party had abstained from voting when the polling took place for the lone seat. Sahu would have to bank heavily upon Opposition’s unity since Congress own membership in the House has come down from 14 to six.
Sahu driving to Marandi may also be guided by the JVM supremo’s desperate attempt to save some of the lost ground on MlAs’ defection issue. He has approached the High Court demanding postponement of Rajya Sabha polls due on June 11. The plea filed on Tuesday argued that since the matter of disqualifying six of JVM’s former MlAs is pending at various levels and their membership status is doubtful, it would be improper to hold the election.
Informing about the stand, Marandi said that allowing the election to take place would be akin to disrespecting democratic principles. “The BJP has unconstitutionally took away six of our party’s MlAs and we have challenged its validity at the Speaker’s court as well as in the High Court. last time, ahead of Rajya Sabha election, we had filed a similar petition before the court but then it had said that since the process for the biennial election had started it would not be proper to interfere. Again announcement for two seats has been made but notification has not been issued. Thus, we have approached the HC seeking its intervention and demanded for deferment of the election pending the final disposal of the case,” said Marandi.
After the defection of six MlAs, the party’s current strength in the House reduced to just two. It had boycotted voting in the RS polls on the last occasion without any effect but abstaining from the polls this time may benefit the BJP indirectly which is looking to bag both the vacant positions in the Upper House.
In his writ petition, the JVM chief has also made Assembly Speaker a party and blamed him for going slow under pressure from the Government and the BJP. “In this condition when Assembly membership of the six MlAs is uncertain and the matter is pending, conducting election would put sanctity of the Constitution under prism,” added the former Chief Minister.
Nevertheless, when asked if he has demanded debarring the MlAs from voting the election slated to take place on June 11, Marandi replied in negative. JVM principal general secretary Pradeep Yadav, at the same time, said that the party would approach the Election Commission in this regard which is expected to notify the biennial polls on May 29 to fill up the two seats.
Moreover, Sahu’s entry into the House of Elders would not be ensured just by the support of JVM. He would require support of the JMM which is sitting prettily with 19 members. JMM sources nevertheless maintained the party would field its own candidate into the fray.
“We have 19 votes and look for another nine to secure the seat. We expect that Congress and JVM would support our nominee. Though a final call on this is yet to be taken,” said JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya. A candidate needs 28 first preference votes to win a Rajya Sabha seat in Jharkhand.
The arithmetic would also change with the bypoll results set to be declared on Thursday. The ruling BJP with its existing strength 42 may swell to 44 if it wins at Panki and Godda. Taking four of the AJSU along and some single member parties, which have had supported it on previous occasions, the party might look to get both the seats.