Apprehensive of facing rout ahead of the Assembly polls after losing its sitting legislators to political opponents, particularly the BJP one after another, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) is slowly coming out of a shudder. Regardless of the stampede and lowered chips, the party managed to secure eight seats i.e. 10 per cent of the House’s strength and equal percentage of vote share. The confidence has encouraged the JVM to give its strategy a relook as far as its future course of action in Jharkhand is concerned.
Keeping an eye on the government formation exercise that continues in the leadership of the BJP combine after it attained a comfortable majority, a first by any pre-poll coalition in the 14 year history of the State, the Babulal Marandi-led party has called first meeting of its newly elected members on December 29. The meeting would discuss the role of the JVM in new dispensation and even the question of extending its arms to the Government.
“We have emerged as small but important segment of the State politics and are in wait and watch mode. Following the meeting of the legislative body we would see what can be the better course of action for us. As far as extending our support to the alliance is concerned no one has sought for that. If it is required then only our support would come into picture at all,” said JVM general secretary Pradeep Yadav.
Despite the odds the outfit has performed better than expected by managing eight seats which is just three less than its 2009 figure. The performance looks more impressive when kept alongside the Congress’ tally which slipped to six and of the RJD that failed to open its account this time by losing all five. As many as five JVM candidates faired close second.
Though JVM supremo Babulal Marandi lost from both the seats he fought his party with new faces salvaged its reputation and relevance as the third largest party of Jharkhand. “The election has re-established that our credibility is still high among the people of the State. Even today, Babulal Marandi is the ray of hope for the people and only time would tell what direction the ray would take in the days to come,” added Yadav who is sure to be elected as leader of the JVM’s legislative body in the meeting. Interestingly, Most of its MlAs are the first timers in the Assembly which is being dubbed as its USP to able to send even green horns to the House.
At the same time, the party is also keeping a close look on the stance of the AJSU party in the days to come. “The BJP has not got an absolute majority and is depending on the crucial support from the AJSU. Its performance would depend how the AJSU behaves. We would discuss our role while keeping that situation in mind. We should be open to our role (read support to the BJP ruled government) based on their stand on the issues concerning Jharkhand,” said JVM general secretary Praveen Singh who is considered a part of the think tank of the party.
Importantly, the BJP has softened its stand towards the party post-poll and invited JVM for its contribution to the new government. Amid all this, there is no second opinion in the party on the role of Marandi whose position as JVM chief would remain unchallenged.