As last date for filling nominations nears for the two bypolls slated at Godda and Panki Assembly constituencies, it has now become clear that the JVM would back its alliance partners and does not field any party cadre.
Party supremo Babulal Marandi while making pubic the stand said on Sunday that the JVM would support the nominees of Congress at Panki while of the RJD at Godda. “We have decided to lend our support to the Congress and RJD in order to bring Opposition united against the BJP,” said Marandi in a brief interaction with the media persons.
The Pioneer had already reported that the JVM on the verge of merger with the JD(U) would concede both the seats and not field its party candidates into the bypoll going to take place on May 16. Hence the Nitish Kumar-led party is in alliance with the RJD and Congress in neighbouring Bihar, Marandi’s making way for their candidates was a not less than the first test for him.
Banking on the previous performances, both the Congress and the RJD have claimed the respective seats as their sitting. Panki is undergoing poll midway due to the death of Bidesh Singh of Congress while RJD’s Sanjay Prasad Singh Yadav had represented Godda before BJP’s Raghunandan Mandal who passed away in January this year.
“We are for the unity of the Opposition. While is it unfortunate that the JMM choose to field its candidate on both the places but still we are putting in efforts to keep the other Opposition folks together. Both the seats belong to them (Congress and RJD) and the JVM would back them to give a tough fight to the BJP,” said JVM vice president Saba Ahmed reacting to Marandi’s declaration.