Ahead of the parliamentary elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) gained ground in the State on Monday as it managed to woo two prominent tribal MlAs of Jharkhand to merge their party with the Bengal based party.
The Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch (JJM) led by Mandar MlA Bandhu Tirkey and Rashtriya Kalyan Paksh (RKP) headed by Bishunpur MlA Chamra linda today signed the merger pact with the TMC. The TMC’s General Secretary Mukul Roy presided over the proceedings carried out at the State guest house here where the two tribal leaders agreed in principle to function under the leadership of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Both are extending support to the Hemant Soren government which is surviving with the razor thin backing of 43 MlAs of the Congress(13),RJD(5),JMM (18) and others (7) including linda and Tirkey in the 81 -member Assembly,
Another twist to the story was added by Soren’s uncle lalu Soren. Though lalu Soren, brother of JMM Chief Shibu Soren, who is undergoing treatment in Chennai, had not been in active politics in the State, he had joined the TMC too. The two MlAs, however, maintained that their support to the Government will continue and also maintained a politically correct position on the issue of domicile and Sarna code.
“We will discuss the issue of domicile and the manifesto will be based accordingly,” diplomatically put Roy adding “with the merger of two
recognized political parties having their MlAs the TMC now has presence in the Jharkhand Assembly.”
However, Tirkey is said to have communicated his views on domicile to the General Secretary of TMC and stands on the ultimatum given to Hemant Soren led coalition government of pulling out of the government if it fails to draft a domicile policy by the end of June. Tirkey had issued the ultimatum during a rally called by Adivasi Adhikar Manch on domicile in February.
“I have apprised the TMC of my stand on domicile and ultimatum to the Government. I stand by with my ultimatum,” maintained Tirkey adding “We will request the Speaker to allot us separate place in the Assembly.”
The TMC will gain much needed strength which it was vying for from a long time giving impetus to speculations of forging alliance with regional parties before lok Sabha elections. The party seems to have kept the option open of going all alone in the upcoming lok Sabha elections. The former Railway Minister maintained politically correct stand on the candidature of Tirkey and linda in the Parliamentary elections.
“There is no decision on the number of seats we will contest however we have kept the option open to contest all lok Sabha seats in the State,” concluded Roy. The TMC has also been apprised of the issue of Sarna code which the followers of the religion is passionate about. The RKP leader pinned hope on the TMC on the issue.
“My main concern is Sarna code and other issues affecting Adivasis of Jharkhand. I have joined TMC with this objective,” said linda. Interestingly, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress seemed unperturbed about the political development. While the Congress termed it independent MlAs’ wish to align themselves with party of their choice the JMM brushed aside concerns of the incumbent government’s survival. “Merely switching side doesn’t means that the government has come under any threat. The control will not go into Mamata’s hands,” said JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya.