Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is all set to decide and declare party candidate for the littipara Assembly bypoll on Saturday. The declaration is possible after formal consultation to be made with JMM president Shibu Soren who is in Delhi to attend Parliament Session.
JMM’s executive president Hemant Soren on Friday sat separately with both the top claimants of the party ticket- Uniquey Udoro Hansda and Nisha Sabnam Hansda—widows of deceased legislator from the constituency Dr Anil Murmu.
Though no official word has come from the party after the meeting but indications suggest that the JMM has made up its mind and in all likelihood would put its weight behind Uniquey Udoro Hansda, first wife of the former MlA. “Both came, met Hemant Soren and left. We would apprise Guruji (Shibu Soren) with the entire
scenario today and take a final call tomorrow,” said party general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya.
Coming out of the meeting both the women reiterated their claims over the official candidature of the party but insiders say none of the two was given assurance of any kind from Hemant Soren. “The meetings with them have taken place. When they came out they said nothing about which way the party ticket would go and whether any word from Hemant has been given to them. He just listened to their respective claims patiently,” said a senior party functionary.
The silence from the party though has also turned many restless. “The decision should be made quickly as time is also required to file nomination and arrange documents before that. Often links at Pragya Kendra fail,” said party’s JMM Maheshpur legislator Stephen Marandi who is said to be backing strongly the first wife of Anil Murmu.
The BJP that is virtually left as the lone competitor of the JMM in the littipara battlefield hit the deck hard on Friday. Chief Minister Raghubar Das chose Dumka which is the centrestage of the entire Santhal Pargana region and also houses the constituency undergoing poll, for conducting divisional level conference of the party workers two weeks ahead of the election on Friday.
“It is very important to note that whatever decision the Government has taken is in the wellbeing of the tribals. We are against allowing exploitation of tribals to continue and our decisions have exposed the Jharkhandi parties. All of you have to reach to the people and make them understand about the policies and intentions behind the decisions taken,” said the CM addressing party workers.
His focus remained to justify the amendments done in the CNT and SPT Acts and declaration of domicile policy which are being dubbed as against the interests of the tribals and local people of the State. Entire Opposition parties, mainly the JMM have been raising the sentimental issues and are all prepared to highlight these during the bypoll which is the first election going to take place after the amendments made in the tenancy laws. Also, BJP’s election committee in the leadership of State president laxman Gilua and general secretaries met in the evening in which names of three probable candidates came for discussion. Finally, the matter would be referred to the BJP central leadership to take a call which is expected by Monday.