The Opposition parties including Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), former Chief Minister, Babulal Marandi led Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM-Prajatantrik) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) announced seat sharing formula under ‘Grand Alliance’ on Sunday. However, the left parties including Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (M) and Communist Party of India (ML) could not get even one seat under the alliance despite repeated efforts.
Former MP from Hazaribag and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader, Bhuvneshwar Prasad Mehta said that the party has called the State Executive Meeting on March 28 in Ranchi, to discuss further strategy on upcoming general elections. He informed that all office bearers from across the State will participate in the meeting along with some national leaders of the party to discuss further strategy.
Speaking on the issue Mehta said, “I have talked to several leaders of Congress and JMM in last few days including Congress National president, Rahul Gandhi, the party’s State In Charge, RPN Singh, senior party leader, Subodhkant Sahay, party’s State Chief Ajoy Kumar and also the JMM president Sibu Soren and executive president Hemant Soren. We demanded only one seat, Hazaribag, as the party has won the seat in 2014 parliamentary election. However, none of them heard us out.”
He added, “While the future strategies will be decided after executive committee’s meeting, I will be contesting from the Hazaribag seat for sure.”
Another prominent left party CPI (M) also could not find place in the alliance. The party members say that the priority is to prevent BJP from forming government at the Centre and to stop division of anti BJP votes. Simultaneously the party is trying expanding its hold in the State.
Speaking on the issue CPI (M) State Executive Committee member, Viplav Prakash said that the party has submitted list of tentative seats to Grand Alliance but they have not replied. “The party has decided that it will contest from Raj Mahal seat and the party has started its preparation already. Gopin Soren will contest from the seat,” he said.
Meanwhile, announcing the seat sharing formula in the State on Sunday, Congress Party State Head Ajoy Kumar said that they are in talks with the left parties and if they are not given seats in this election, they would definitely get the seats in the assembly elections to be held later this year.