Giving a tit for tat to the outspoken Congress the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday declared to walk alone, if required in Jharkhand. The party after a marathon meeting made it clear that its workers and leaders are ready to contest all the 81 Assembly seats available in the State. The elections are due in November.
The befitting reply has come following the number of remarks from top Congress leaders, including Pradesh Congress Committee president Sukhdeo Bhagat and Congress legislative Party leader Rajendra Singh. The ClP leader had expressed his views that the national party may walk alone in the forthcoming polls and go and even convince national president Sonia Gandhi in this regard.
“Sentiment of the party workers is that the JMM should contest all the 81 seats in the Assembly. But the final decision would be taken by our central leadership,” said JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya.Though he quickly also added that any decision on the coalition issue would be taken after consulting leaders of JMM poll partners and based on situation arising at the time of the elections. “JMM is committed to the welfare of the State. It would do any sacrifice for keeping the interest of the State intact,” added Bhattacharya.
Commenting on the possible results in Parliamentary polls, the party leaders expected a good show on the four seats the JMM has contested in the State. “It was an important discussion in the post-election scenario. The election was accepted as a challenge by the party workers and the party has succeeded in this. The JMM will get very good results on the four seats it contested upon and also on those who were with the allies,” said he after the meeting and added that great disappointment was in store for the BJP.
However, when asked about fate of JMM’s disgruntled leader Simon Marandi, who has been issued a show cause notice over his alleged anti-party remarks and activities during the recently concluded elections, Bhattacharya looked defensive.
“The party has forwarded Simon Marandi’s reply to Guruji (JMM chief Shibu Soren). He is very serious on this and will take a decision very soon. After declaration of the poll results the issue would be dealt with,” added the spokesperson.After being pressed further Bhattacharya said that it had not been the party’s tradition to throw anyone out but “if one is walking out on one’s own then we do not prevent him either.” He also made clear that party are not trying to persuade Marandi and making him pacify.It is learnt that the party does not want to dismiss Simon which let him off the hook to join any other party immediately and save him from losing his membership subsequently. Nevertheless Simon in any case is free to vote against the Government during the show of strength which is lurching anytime after dust settles.
The party also did not say anything about replacing Simon. It is understood that the CM has made up his mind over the new entrant and just buying time over the issue. The strategy is to let Simon make his next move or wait till the inevitable comes. At the same time the party maintained that the Government was stable and would complete its term.