It is very much in the Opposition Grand Alliance yet not in talking terms with ‘de-facto’ leader Hemant Soren of the JMM. It will support the candidate announced by the Congress for Kolebira considering him the nominee of the alliance but not the candidate who has secured backing of the JMM. This is Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) that finds itself sailing on two different boats at the same time.
Following both the major factions of the Grand Alliance, which is building up against the BJP by pulling together Opposition parties in the form of JMM, Congress, JVM, RJD and the Left parties, decided to back two different candidates for the Kolebira bypoll, which is being considered a litmus test for the bloc ahead of the main battle ahead, the JVM made it clear that it would put its weight behind Congress’ nominee Naman V Kongari.
“Our stand is that the JVM would support the Grand Alliance candidate that the Congress has given. Since none other than Congress from the alliance partners has fielded any candidate, he is the only official candidate for us. Jharkhand Party is not the part of the original Grand Alliance,” said JVM principal general secretary Pradeep Yadav.
When asked whether his party consider the JMM executive president Hemant Soren as the face of the alliance, Yadav felt it difficult to answer. “Mukhia selection to ongoing process hai… (Selection on face is an ongoing process). Whatever the Congress has said about him has not said before us. Ultimately this is the people who would be choosing anyone as leader and he will be the leader of the State; be it Babulal Marandi or Hemant Soren or Ajoy Kumar,” responded the JVM legislator, clearly distancing from the Congress’ one sided declaration about naming Hemant Soren united Opposition leader post poll.
Nevertheless he quickly wished that existence of the Grand Alliance would remain intact till the Assembly polls in order to put the ruling BJP on mat. “Kolebira is a small election. We wish that the building health of the Grand Alliance does not deteriorate due to this and our claim is maintained till 2019,” added the JVM leader.
However it is learnt that earlier the party was supportive to Jharkhand Party’s nominee Menon Ekka but later changed its mind when she got direct backing of the JMM. Officially the party maintains that consultation with JMM on this issue took place involving JVM supremo Babulal Marandi and Hemant Soren. Though the effort either may not be true or could have ended in a deadlock.