Former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi-led Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) on Sunday announced its third list of five candidates for the State Assembly elections. JVM-P Spokesperson Anita Singh announced the names of the candidates. Noted social activist Dayamani Barla will be the party candidate from Khunti seat. Barla is a tribal journalist and activist from Jharkhand.
She became notable for her activism in opposing Arcelor Mittal’s steel plant in Eastern Jharkhand that tribal activists say would have displaced several villages. Barla won a number of prestigious awards for journalism.
She unsuccessfully contested from Khunti Lok Sabha constituency of the State in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as an Aam Aadmi Party candidate. Barla is the National President of Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF). Earlier her journalistic work was supported by a small fellowship for some years by Association for India’s Development (AID). Barla owns and runs a tea shop that effectively supports her journalistic desire and career.
The party announced Shashibhushan Samad, who joined party today, as JVM candidate from Chakradharpur constituency. Samad is sitting MLA form the seat he won last election as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha candidate.