The glitch in the seat-sharing formula for NDA in Jharkhand is yet to be removed even when only 4 days are left for the final date of filing of nominations for the first phase of polls in the State. NDA alliance in State AJSU Party has left final decision on BJP and is not relenting on its decisions taken on a number of seats considered crucial for the party.
AJSU Party chief Sudesh Kumar Mahto returned to the State Capital on Saturday afternoon after holding rounds of meetings with BJP top brass in Delhi. Mahto said that the party is firm on its stand that has been appraised to the BJP long back. He said that talks were held with the BJP Central leadership on Friday late evening and Saturday morning, in which the views of the AJSU Party were reiterated.
“The Ball is in BJP’s court. We have already said what has to be said on the issue of seat sharing,” said Mahto adding that there was no question of the party compromising on some crucial seats for it.
Notably, sources informed that the talks are mainly stuck between the AJSU Party and BJP on two seats - Chandandkiyari and Lohardaga. Both Umakant Rajak and Kamal Kishore Bhagat of AJSU Party have also made preparations to file nomination. Kamal Kishore Bhagat's wife Neeru Shanti Bhagat from Lohardaga is set to contest on AJSU Party’s ticket. At the same time, Umakant Rajak has also made it clear that he will contest the poll on the ticket of AJSU Party from Chandankiyari.
BJP insiders said that the party Central leadership was not ready to entertain the demands of AJSU Party and not willing to grant more than 10-12 seats to the former. They said that the party may resort to another plan to convince the AJSU Party.
Notably, the BJP has prepared a panel of three names for each Assembly segment and a final call on 33 seats may be taken in the Parliamentary Board meeting scheduled on Saturday late evening. Before that, a meeting on the issue of alliance with AJSU Party is also going to be held in New Delhi.
The names for 33 seats for the first and second phase of polls are likely to be announced on Saturday night or Sunday.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das again left for New Delhi on Saturday evening after attending some rituals at his Jamshedpur residence.
The Parliamentary Board meeting will be attended by Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda, BL Santosh, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Shivraj Singh Chauhan.