Once again Jamshedpur East MLA and former Minister in the State Government, Saryu Roy is creating ripples in the State politics by saying that in a bid to prevent horse trading during ongoing Rajya Sabha elections he will talk to top leaders of Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC) so that the party withdraws nomination of its candidate.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Legislature Party Leader, Babulal Marandi talked to Roy to prevent horse trading in this Rajya Sabha elections. Marandi requested Roy for his support for BJP candidate for Rajya Sabha election Deepak Prakash. Roy in his reply said that he will extend his support to Prakash. Roy also assured that he will not support Congress candidate, Shahjada Anwar as the party has not enough support. Roy said that fielding Anwar will create situation of horse trading and will malign impression of the State as it had witnessed in the past.
Roy said that he will talk JPCC Chief Rameshwar Oraon to withdraw candidature of Anwar as Rajya Sabha candidate because the party has not enough strength.
Out of total 81 members Assembly, a candidate will need the support of at least 27 MLAs to win the election. The JMM has 29 MLAs. After Babulal Marandi joins BJP, the party’s strength will increase to 26. If the two MLAs of AJSU are included, the number of pro-BJP MLAs increases to 28. In this way JMM-BJP can send their candidates to Rajya Sabha.
It may be mentioned here that elections will be held for two of six Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand, currently occupied by independent Parimal Nathwani and RJD’s Premchand Gupta. Shahzada Anwar who had earlier unsuccessfully contested the Assembly election from Ramgarh thrice as Congress, JMM and RJD candidate filed his nomination accompanied by senior Congress leaders.
It may be mentioned here that the tenure of two Rajya Sabha members from the State will end on April 9 this year. The election process started from March 6. Polling will held on March 26 on ballot paper. The results will be announced at 5 pm on the same day.