The announcement of Rajya Sabha election schedule has intensified the debate over the domicile of the candidates that would be in the fray. However, political parties seem to harbor divergent opinion on the issue, which otherwise has been the subject of intense upheaval in the State.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which has been vocal on the issue of domicile, seemed undecided over roots of a probable candidate for the RS elections. The party now believes that the association of a candidate with party is more important than his permanent address. The JMM will hold a meeting on January 21 to discuss strategies regarding the polls.
“We are of opinion that the candidate must be someone who believes in the party’s ideology,” said JMM leader Vinod Pandey.
While the JMM seems to be in quandary over the State of residence of candidates to RS elections the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) believes that works done by a candidate should weigh more than any other criteria. “State of domicile should not be the basis for rejecting any candidate,” maintained BJP spokesperson Pradeep Sinha.
Interestingly, the office of the outgoing MP Parimal Nathwani has been making efforts to woo political parties through a communiqué enumerating works done during by him the State. Through an open letter the office has tried to establish the bond shared by Nathwani, who belongs to Gujarat, with the people of the State.
Nonetheless, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) has stressed over preference to a local candidate for RS elections. The JVM is also scheduled to hold a meeting on Monday to discuss all matters related to the elections its official stand on the RS elections. “We have always been in favour of people associated with this land,” said senior JVM leader Pradeep Yadav.
RS elections have been under scanner in the State due to allegations of horse trading. Huge sum of money allegedly exchanges hands in lieu of vote which also bothers custodian of democratic institution in Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Shashank Shekhar Bhokta who also urged the voters to use their right without any external influence. “Although I have no role in the elections still as a custodian I will try to ensure free and fair elections,” maintained the Speaker.
Incidentally, the Speaker of Jharkhand Assembly also expressed preference for a “asthaniya” (local) candidate in the upcoming RS elections supposedly driven by the sour experience the JMM had with RS MP KD Singh who switched to TMC after contesting elections on its tickets. “I believe that a local candidate would be better. However this is my personal opinion,” pointed out Bhokta.
Notably, the voting for the two RS seats scheduled to be vacant on April 9 will take place on February 7. The Election Commission has set January 28 as the date for filling notifications.
Although the State been the epicenter of controversies in RS elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has stuck to the earlier standing orders concerning elections. However, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has suggested that it will act in a manner in consonance with the law if the elections are manipulated.
“There is no specific order for Jharkhand. However, we will act if we get reports of such incidents (use of money to influence elections),” said CEO PK Jajoria adding “we have always acted against such complains.” Significantly, the office of the CEO has sent the list of returning officers, place of voting, type of ballot boxes to the ECI.