The reported talks about induction of two expelled JVM (P) MLAs—Pradeep Yadav and Bandhu Tirkey in Congress fold may not be smooth affair as Congress legislator from Jamtara, Irfan Ansari has openly expressed his reservation over induction of Yadav in Congress. Ansari the two-time Congress MLA from Jamtara in Santhal Pargana is going to knock the door the Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi expressing his discomfort over induction of Yadav in Congress.
Ansari said, “I am in Delhi and will meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressing my discomfort over induction of Pradeep Yadav in Congress. I will try to convince Rahul jee, how induction of Pradeep Yadav can hamper the reputation of Congress party as Yadav is facing a criminal case for allegedly raping a JVM worker.”
“Also, Pradeep Yadav has an RSS background and his entire political career has revolved around criticizing Congress. He is one of the few leaders in Jharkhand who can never be trusted,” added Ansari. Months before the last year general election, a worker of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) had filed a rape complaint against then JVM general secretary and five-term MLA?Pradeep Yadav. Yadav at that time was Grand Alliance candidate from Godda the seat which Ansari family had claimed as their traditional seat.
Sources said that tussle between Yadav and Ansaris is not new, as during Lok Sabha election both Yadav and Irfan’s father Furkan Ansari had staked claim over the seat. However, sources in State Congress claim that there are no differences in State Congress over induction of Yadav in Congress.
State Congress spokesperson Lal Kishore Nath Shahdeo said, “There are no differences in Congress over joining of two expelled JVM MLAs in Congress. The party high command has to take final decision over induction of these two leaders.”
With the joining of these two legislators, the Congress’ strength in the 81-member House will go up from 16 to 18. The JMM had won 30 seats while the BJP had bagged 25. Sources said that both Yadav and Tirkey are to join Congress after the merger of JVM of BJP scheduled on February 17.
On Tuesday JVM chief Babulal Marandi announced the merger of JVM with BJP. The merger will be held in presence of BJP national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Meanwhile, on Friday JVM submitted a letter to Election Commission of India informing the highest election body about the merger of party with BJP.
The BJP delegation on Friday also met Election Commission of India officials and informed them about the merger of JVM in BJP. The JVM (P) has chalked out a detailed strategy for merger, around 20,000 workers from Ranchi Mahanagar and rural district will participate at the merger function.