Amid reports of merger of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) with BJP, the party on Tuesday expelled its Mandar MLA Bandhu Tirkey for anti-party activities. Tirkey, is one the party leaders, who has openly criticised party’s unconfirmed merger plan with BJP.
Announcing the expulsion of Bandhu Tirkey from JVM, party’s principal general secretary, Abhay Kumar said, “Bandhu Tirkey has been accused of indulging in anti-party activities, due to which he has been expelled from party. Tirkey, in last Assembly election, had worked for Congress candidate Ajay Nath Shahdeo contesting from Hatia, when party’s official candidate Shobha Yadav too was contesting the election from same constituency.”
Singh said Tirkey was issued show cause notice on January 17 and was given 48 hours for giving reply, but even after passing of more than 72 hours the Mandar MLA failed to give explanation.
However, Bandhu Tirkey termed his expulsion as undemocratic and unconstitutional claiming that after receiving show-cause notice his representative had gone to JVM office for submitting the reply, but in the office there was no one to receive his reply.
Tirkey further said, “The JVM had expelled me from party without any substance. The party had not checked the facts before expulsion.” According to Tirkey, the picture on which his expulsion was plotted is of month of May when he had gone to campaign for Congress candidate Subodh Kant Sahay during Lok Sabha election. In the picture he is shown with Congress leader Ajay Nath Shahdeo.
Tirkey said, “The Assembly election was held in December, when the State was witnessing severe cold, but in the pictures it is clearly seen that none of them attending the meet wearing winter clothes.” Sources said that with expelling Tirkey from party, the JVM had given pace to talks of merger of party with BJP. Tirkey along with another party legislator Pradeep Yadav had opposed the merger of JVM with Saffron party.
On January 17 Babulal Marandi constituted new working committee leaving Pradeep Yadav and Bandhu Tirkey without any important posts. Both Yadav and Tirkey had found place in 151 member working committee, without any important posts.
Meanwhile, Tirkey after his expulsion reached Pradeep Yadav’s residence. Yadav too termed Tirkey expulsion as unconstitutional saying that he should have been given time. Sources said that as JVM is preparing the plot for merger of party with BJP it doesn’t want any technical hitches in merger.
Meanwhile, Congress offered both Tirkey and Yadav to join the party. Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Sahu said, “If the two leaders decide to join Congress party than they are welcome but the final decision on their induction will be taken by party central high command.” A senior JVM leader on condition of anonymity said, “JVM merger with BJP is certain.
The delay is mainly due to process and formalities, which has to be taken ahead of merger. As Marandi is not single person who has join BJP but entire party is to be merged a lot of process is to be taken ahead of merger.” Sources said that it is win-win situation both for Marandi and BJP if both parties decide to join hands.