Playing an emotional masterstroke, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has named wife of late Sudhir Mahto as party candidate for the Rajya Sabha putting the coalition partners — Congress and RJD — in a fix.
The core committee of the Shibu Soren-led party met on Monday and stamped over the opinion of most of the JMM MlAs who wanted to see Savita Mahto as official party nominee and sought support of other coalition partners to pave her entry into the Upper House.
“Core committee of JMM met under the leadership of Guruji (Shibu Soren). It has been the tradition of the JMM to honour the families of deceased party workers and provide them adequate representation. All our MlAs expressed their sentiments and keeping those in mind Guruji and the party has finalised the widow of our leader — Sudhir Mahto — Savita Mahto as party’s official candidate for the Rajya Sabha,” said JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya, flanked by several senior legislators.
Significantly, the demand of nominating Savita Mahto had been raised first by former Chief Minister and a close friend of the late JMM leader Arjun Munda, which Shibu Soren could not ignore.
Another major player Sudesh Mahto-led AJSU has also been close to late Sudhir Mahto, known as OBC face of the tribal dominated party. Notably, Sudesh too is trying to inherit the legacy of late Nirmal Mahto, the elder brother of Sudhir Mahto. No wonder, the JMM also appealed to all political parties, including BJP and AJSU to support Savita Mahto in order to pay “a real tribute to Sudhir Mahto and Nirmal Mahto”. Tuesday is last day of filing nominations for the two vacant seats for the biennial elections. Sudhir Mahto, 53, who had served as deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand and a tall leader of the party died of heart attack on January 22.
The step has also put Congress in a catch 22 situation which was earlier adamant to field its own candidate for the elections citing privilege of being a national party. Party leader and former Speaker of the Assembly Alamgir Alam on Monday even purchased the nomination papers.
When asked about Congress’ positioning Bhattacharya said, “Hemant Soren has met Congress leaders and their response is quite positive. Though they have purchased nomination form for their candidate but final decision has to be taken by their central leaders. We also expect support of the RJD as Nirmal Mahto has had a long history of struggle jointly with lalu Prasad.” JMM’s legislative body would meet at 10 am on Tuesday and accompany Savita Mahto to file her nominations.
JMM insiders said that it was the only way left by which Congress and RJD could have been tamed as sentiments in the favour of late Sudhir Mahto is all time high at present which would be hard to ignore for them. Though, the RJD is not looking to budge and has pressed for Premchand Gupta till the last moment. Any final call is likely to be taken on Tuesday when five of its MlAs meet. However JMM’s move sent Congress in a tizzy as the party remained in a huddle till late and deliberated upon the surcharged scenario with its MlAs and also with its high command in Delhi.
The BJP on Monday decided not to field any official party candidate and hinted to support an Independent for the February 7 polls. “Our effort is to prevent any UPA candidate from winning the election. We also think AJSU is not in any way associated with the UPA. The party would make clear its stand on Tuesday,” said BJP State president Ravindra Rai.
The stand has more or less made the journey smooth for Parimal Nathwani, the incumbent RS member who is sure to file his nomination on Tuesday either on AJSU ticket or as an Independent.