The National Democratic Alliance in the State, displaying unity has decided to campaign jointly in support of all NDA candidates with a pledge to win all 14 seats in State. Senior leaders of NDA constituents including Chief Minister Raghubar Das, BJP State president Laxman Gilua, State BJP in-charge Mangal Pandey, AJSU president Sudesh Mahto, LJP state president Virendra Pradhan, JDU state convener Shailendra Mahato and others participated in a meeting held at BJP office. The leaders decided to hold NDA workers meet at district and block level so as to strengthened ties among party workers and cadres of all four NDA partners in state.
In State, though the BJP has partners—AJSU, JDU, LJP and Navjawan Sangharsh Morcha the party of Bhawnathpur MLA Bhanu Pratap Shahi, BJP is contesting lion’s share of seats (13) while one seat Giridih has been given to AJSU. From Giridih, Chandra Prakash Choudhary, Minister in Raghubar Das led Cabinet holding drinking water and sanitation is contesting the election.
Talking to media persons after an hour long meeting, Chief Minister Raghubar Das said, “All the constituents of NDA have decided to campaign jointly in the general elections and we are confident that NDA will win all 14 seats in State.” Das said, “To strengthened ties among party cadres and workers, the senior leaders of all constituents of NDA have decided to hold workers meet at district and block level so that a mutual understanding develops between workers.” The district level workers meet of NDA will be held on April 11, while the block level workers meet is scheduled on April 16.
Echoing the views of Das, LJP state president Virendra Pradhan said, “All the partners of NDA have decided to campaign jointly and in this connection, LJP national president Ram Vilas Paswan and LJP parliamentary board chairman and Jamui (Bihar) MP Chirag Paswan will campaign in support of BJP and AJSU candidates.”
BJP and AJSU Party, which are contesting the elections in State has till date announced 11 candidates (one AJSU and BJP 10 candidates), the BJP is yet to announce candidates from three seats.
The BJP Central Election Committee on Friday did not announce the candidates for Ranchi, Koderma and Chatra seats. Chief Minister Raghubar Das said, “The BJP central election committee will announce the names of candidates at the appropriate time.”
Sources said that caste arithmetic is playing big role behind delay in announcing candidates from Ranchi, Chatra and Koderma. In Ranchi, the BJP has decided to cut the seat of five time sitting MP Ram Tahal Choudhary. From Ranchi seat the names of State Khadi Board Chairman Sanjay Seth, senior State BJP Aditya Sahu and former president of Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) Amitahbh Choudhary is doing rounds, but none of these three probable contenders are from Kurmi caste.
From Koderma, the party is likely to field RJD state president Annapurna Devi who joined BJP last month cutting the ticket of sitting MP Ravindra Rai.
From Chatra, the BJP is likely to give ticket to RJD former state president Girinath Singh.