Dulal Bhuiyan, the former land Reforms and Revenue Minister of Jharkhand, has returned to the JMM fold after being denied ticket by the BJP.
Bhuiyan met Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Ranchi for two hours on Tuesday and later sought blessings from senior Soren. Sources informed that Hemant welcomed Bhuiyan to the JMM and has decided to field him from Jugsalai reserved assembly constituency in East Singhbhum.
With State BJP joining hands with AJSU ahead of the Assembly elections, Bhuiyan who recently joined the BJP along with other party workers and activists of Jugsalai Assembly have registered their protest after many senior party leaders registered their protest with the party leadership. “Yes Dulal ji has returned home and will contest from Jugsalai on a JMM ticket,” a close associate said, adding senior party leaders, including transport minister and Kolhan in-charge Champai Soren, are also keen to induct the former minister.
“I have returned to my roots. I met the CM and now heading to seek blessings of Guruji. Joining BJP was a big mistake,” Bhuiyan quipped. The three-time Jugsalai MlA, Bhuiyan was sure of getting BJP ticket but the saffron party’s poll alliance with AJSU ruined his aspirations. Targeting the BJP, Bhuiyan said the party has no respect for regional leaders. “ People with vested interests are involved in the party and now I have resolved to be back home,” he added. He went on to add that the party had also organised party workers meeting at Dimna for Jugsalai assembly area and he was prepared to contest. Bhuiyan represented JMM from Jugsalai from 1995-2009.
Sources close to Bhuiyan said he had worked extensively in Jugsalai as he was confident of bagging a BJP ticket. The former minister, who left the JVM to join the BJP on August 10, will now contest on a JMM ticket from Jugsalai. In 2009 assembly polls young face from AJSU Ramchandra Sahis turned out to be dark horse by defeating the former land Reforms and Revenue Minister with a margin of 3482 votes. Backed by tribal voters of Patamda Sahis received 42,810 while BJP candidate Rakhi Rai ended up with 39328 votes. Bhuiyan ended up third with 35,629 votes.
Meanwhile, workers and activists of BJP have protested the alliance and the party should never form alliance with Sudesh Mahato led AJSU. “BJP workers of Jugsalai Assembly will never work for any other party and will never ever campaign for other political parties and if needed we will protest and submit resignation letter, appeal was also made to not have any pre poll alliance with any other regional party as it will affect the sentiments of the workers and will also have effect on the state and party policy,” noted Rakhi Rai of BJP.