The day when another notice under anti-defection law was served to yet another JVM MlA Phulchand Mandal, who joined the BJP, the group of disgruntled MlAs under the leadership of Samresh Singh pressed that they are the actual JVM and not one with Babulal Marandi.
Talking to press persons outside the Assembly on Monday, Singh flanked by Nirbhay Shahabadi claimed that besides five, four other MlAs are with the breakaway faction. “Besides five, those who have joined the BJP, two more would follow the suit and two more would join us soon. We have sufficient number with us and have clarified our position before the Speaker. Our group is the original JVM (P),” said the Bokaro MlA.
The group of MlAs who had been served notice under anti-defection law submitted their stand before Speaker Shashank Shekhar Bhokta on Monday in which the faction sought for 15 days’ time to present all the concerning proofs.
“Within the timeline we would present the copy of the proceedings which elected KP Sharma as new party president, me as leader of legislative Body in Assembly and Shahabadi as chief whip of the JVM (P). We have nine MlAs and so there is no question of the Act applicable to us,” stressed Samresh Singh and added that after the matter getting cleared from the Assembly, the faction would be merged into the BJP.
He, on the occasion, also lauded his role in building the BJP in Jharkhand and expressed full faith that dreams of a prosperous State would be fulfilled only by the party under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh and Shahabadi are among the group of four MlAs which include Chandrika Mahtha and JP Bhokta who made their entry into the saffron party recently.
Meanwhile, Pradeep Yadav of the JVM gave notice for disqualification of Phulchand Mandal on Monday from the party on the grounds of his joining the BJP. The Speaker had given time till August 5 to Mandal to reply over the issue.
Amid all this tempers ran high from both the fronts. Replying to the charges made by Pradeep Yadav that the turncoats did this because he prevented them from taking money to vote during the Rajya Sabha polls, Shahabadi said that he had definite information about Yadav's illicit role played in Panem coal mine issue in Pakur.
“I challenge him for declaring property of my and his in public. The wealth of ours should be investigated,” said the sitting Giridih MlA.