The Opposition in the State has discovered some more unifying factors in the form of upcoming presidential election and twin cases of farmers’ suicide having taken place at the capital’s outskirts, besides row over CNT and SPT Act amendments.
leaders of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM), the Congress and the RJD were in chorus on an eventful Friday which saw no other than RJD supremo lalu Prasad Yadav chipping in.
Soon after making an appearance before a special court in the fodder scam case, lalu first hosted senior JVM leader Bandhu Tirkey in the State Guest House, followed by Congress State president Sukhdeo Bhagat who was fresh from his meeting with leader of Opposition Hemant Soren.
Though the participants maintained silence about what was cooked politically during the deliberations, indications suggest that a common platform was raised against the ruling BJP.
“Several issues are there in the State starting from resentment against tenancy law amendments, police firings, land acquired at different places and also the latest farmers’ crisis. laluji told us to build up groundswell against the Government and hold public meetings as much as possible. Importantly, we have to remain united in this fight just like Bihar,” said a senior Congress leader who was part of the
delegation calling on the RJD chief.
Although no direct meeting between any JMM leader and lalu Prasad could happen, Sukhdeo Bhagat played a messenger in the afternoon. Sources in the Congress revealed that Bhagat-Hemant Soren meeting was besides, taking forward the burning issues against the Government, also to look for a consensus for presidential candidate from the Opposition camp.
Not so significant vote strength in the form of MPs, JMM-Congress combine holds a considerable value for the electoral college coming out of the MlAs from Jharkhand. “lalu Prasad is working to unify the Oppositions votes scattered all over. The meeting was in that direction. The JMM has assured to support Congress backed candidate for the next President,” said a JPCC leader.
later, speaking to the media briefly at the Guest House, lalu called for the Opposition unity ahead of the poll due next month. “All the parties should come together for electing next President. We all have authorised Sonia Gandhi (Congress president) for nominating a candidate,” said the former Bihar Chief Minister.
Following the meetings in Ranchi host of the leaders, including Hemant Soren and Sukhdeo Bhagat drove down to Pithoria to meet the family members of deceased farmer Baldev Mahto, who had allegedly jumped into a well to take his life on Wednesday. Another farmer had committed suicide early this week when he was found hanging from a tree near his home. In order to mark a protest, the JMM has called for a Pithoria bandh on Saturday.