Pre-poll scenario for the two Rajya Sabha seats available in Jharkhand gained momentum on Monday with Babulal Marandi-led JVM declaring that the party’s 10 MlAs will boycott the biennial elections bringing smile on the face of the prospective candidates.
Marandi’s decision would bring down the magic figure for the victory to 24. A candidate needs support of 28 MlAs to secure a seat into the Rajya Sabha if all the 81 members of the House cast their votes.
The sitting Independent MP Parimal Nathwani, on the other hand, is eyeing for a regional party tag this time around. Nathwani, a Reliance man, is also said to have met the JMM leaders in this regard. The JMM with maximum number of votes, 18, is likely to open its cards on Tuesday.
Taking exclusively to The Pioneer, Nathwani explicitly said that he was seeking support of local political outfits to make his way into the Upper House.
“I have planned for re-election. I think I can work lot better through associating myself with regional parties. I have my experiences to work singlehandedly as an Independent candidate but by associating myself with regional parties, I can work comprehensively. I have talked to all regional parties in Jharkhand and said them that I have to continue working for Jharkhand and if you have satisfaction then support me,” said the MP who entered into the Rajya Sabha in 2008.
He in his effort has contacted all the three regional parties—JMM, JVM and AJSU—who have responded “positively”. Though, when asked about contradictions prevailing among the regional outfits, Nathwani said, “Any two or a combination like that would do the things for me. I would make my strategy finally on January 25-26 as last date for nomination is on 28. Again I am repeating that I am going to be a regional party candidate.” Nathwani at the same time ruled-out any talk with national party to smoothen his entry.
Though the JVM detractors would say that the decision to boycott elections has been taken under a well-planned strategy, party’s legislature party leader Pradeep Yadav defended the move.
“The party has decided unanimously to keep a distance from Rajya Sabha election and would not project any candidate. It would also not support candidates of Congress or BJP and other regional parties like JMM or AJSU as they have been one way or the other associated with the national parties. Our party would boycott the voting,” said Yadav after the meeting of top party leaders.
He also cited insufficient votes in the party’s kitty to take anyone to the Rajya Sabha and counted this as the prime reason for not participating in the voting.
“We wanted to send a local to the Rajya Sabha but our strength is not that much. We are not averse to the democratic process,” added Yadav and expressed hope that all the MlAs of the party would remain intact.
Nevertheless, he also mentioned that constitutionally no one can be compelled to adhere to the party line as far as the polls are concerned. JVM has 11 MlAs but one Nizammudin Ansari has been expelled from the party on disciplinary grounds.
To counter insider-outsider logic, Nathwani argued that he was as local as any other.
“When I was elected in 2008, I was an independent candidate. I had promised to people of Jharkhand that I may be a new for the State but I would become a greater Jharkhandi. According to my satisfaction I have done that. I have made Jharkhand my karmabhumi. I have continued working for common cause,” said he adding that his becoming an MP would be a win-win situation for him as well as regional parties as they can be benefited by his reputation and image.
Talking about his priority if re-elected, Nathwani said that creating a brand Jharkhand tops the list.
The Congress, in the meantime, is also in a wait and watch mode. “No party can independently secure a seat for itself. As a coalition Government is in place all the partners would sit together in 1-2 days and decided about the election,” said Congress state president Sukhdeo Bhagat.