Contrary to the BJP-led NDA which has taken a lead in declaring its seat sharing formula everywhere in the country including Jharkhand for the incumbent polls, the Congress headed Grand Alliance seems to have missed the courage. The Opposition has, nonetheless, managed to elbow out the Left parties and forced the RJD to cut down its demand.
As per the indications coming in, the parties have agreed to handover Palamu seat to the RJD. Though formal announcement was expected on Tuesday after the group of leaders including JVM chief Babulal Marandi, Congress Alamgir Alam and Subodh Kant Sahay along with others returned from Delhi on Sunday but it has been deferred post Holi.
Moreover, the partners of the alliance have shed some more flab. Decision for keeping the Left parties present in the State out of the coalition at least for the Lok Sabha elections has been taken. “The door is closed for the Left parties. They may be accommodated into the Assembly polls but not now,” said a senior leader.
Besides, one of the cogs of the Grand Alliance-the RJD- has also settled for one seat against two it was demanding since beginning. “They were demanding at least two seats Chatra and Palamu but finally they would be contesting from Palamu only. The Congress does not have winnable candidate from Palamu which is also a major factor behind the call,” said a source.
As per the present arrangement the Congress would be contesting on seven seats leaving four for the JMM, two for the JVM and one for the RJD. In all this give and take, it is the Babulal Marandi’s party which is being considered as the most fortunate as far as the alliance is concerned.
“The party has got what it wanted from beginning. It ran away with two seats which would prove beneficial for the party to bargain for more space during the Assembly polls as well which is following soon after,” said a JVM functionary.
When contacted Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajoy Kumar brushed aside any unresolved issue as far as the delay taking place in formal declaration is concerned.
“Everything has been finalised and all the factions have expressed their satisfaction over the seat sharing formula arrived at in Delhi. Just a formal announcement is to be made in this regard. I am in Delhi as the central election committee of the party is scheduled for Tuesday.
Now after the names of our candidates are cleared the formula with names would be made public soon after Holi,” said the State Congress chief.