The Chatra Lok Sabha seat gears up for a friendly contest between Congress and RJD as both the grand alliance partners have announced their candidates. The RJD has pitted political greenhorn Subhash Yadav from the seat—which has given most of times outsiders MPs.
Subhash enjoys the blessing of Lalu Rabri and this is said to be the reason behind RJD not leaving the seat despite repeated pleas from Congress, JMM, JVM (P). The seat which borders Bihar will witness triangular contest between RJD Subhash Yadav, Congress MLA and Barhi (Hazaribagh) Manoj Kumar Yadav and BJP sitting MP Sunil Singh.
The RJD leadership has requested Congress to withdraw the candidate till April 12—the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
The Mahagathbandhan leaders feel that in the clash between two Yadavs, there will be split of Yadav votes which will benefit BJP candidate. With the fear of split of Yadav votes, RJD senior leader and Bihar former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had urged the Congress to withdraw its candidature from seat.
Tejashwi on Saturday once again requested the Congress to withdraw their candidature from Chatra. He said, “In the larger interest of Grand Alliance, I would talk to senior leaders of Congress to withdraw their candidate from Chatra after talking to my father and party chief Lalu Prasad.”
Earlier, Chatra was allotted to the RJD but when the party pressed for Palamu which was allotted and Chatra went to the Congress as per 7-4-2-1 seat sharing formula wherein Congress will contest seven seats, JMM four, JVM(P) two and RJD one.
RJD State president Gautam Sagar Rana said, “Chatra has been traditional seat of RJD and based on RJD support base, a year back Lalujii and Rabri Devi had promised Subhash Yadav Chatra seat. After getting blessing of Lalu and Rabri, Subhash who has business in Bihar and Jharkhand’s district Chatra and Palamu had started preparations for Lok Sabha elections. We will wait till April 12 the last date for withdrawal of nominations. Senior RJD leaders are having discussion with senior Congress leaders for having a consensus over the seat.”
“For past one year Subhash Yadav has been carrying out various philanthropic work such as organizing medical camps for poor people, distribution of blankets and food to poor, meeting people so as to solve their problems among others, “ added Gautam Sagar Rana.
Meanwhile, after BJP backing its incumbent Chatra parliamentarian Sunil Singh in his constituency for second time, Sunil Singh has once again started preparations for election. On Sunday he reached the BJP state headquarter in Ranchi he thanks BJP national president Amit Shah and Chief Minister Raghubar Das for reposing faith on him. He said, “I am thankful to centre and state leadership for reposing faith on me. I will work hard to ensure BJP victory in the seat.”
Chatra will go to polls on the Phase-4 (first phase in the state) on April 29 along with Lohardaga and Palamu. The last date of nomination is April 9. Withdrawals are allowed till April 12.