The candidature of rebel BJP leader and former Cabinet Minister Saryu Roy from Jamshedpur (East) against Chief Minister Raghubar Das has not only affected the BJP, but has created fissures in Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan).
Big brother in Grand Alliance Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has openly come up in support of Roy urging all like-minded parties to support Roy, while at the same time Congress after fielding its national spokesperson Gaurav Vallabh from the seat said that it is too late to withdraw its candidate from prestigious seat.
Jamshedpur East, which is largely an urban constituency, is considered as safe citadel of BJP and Chief Minister Raghubar Das has been representing the seat for five times since 1995. Like Raghubar, Roy too had a wide experience as MLA and MLCs in Bihar. Roy, the 68-year-old politician who has been opposing some of the decisions taken by his own party and Government alleging irregularities filed his nomination paper as an independent candidate from Jamshedpur east on Monday. Roy, who has taken up the crusade against corruption not even sparing his own party, is considered as new darling of opposition parties. When Roy announced to contest as Independent candidate against Raghubar Das, JMM executive president Hemant Soren was first to come up in support Roy. Soren asked opposition parties to support Roy. Later, JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya extending support to Roy said,
“Despite being part of the Raghubar Das Cabinet, Roy as whistle blower has raised his voice against Government in blanket scam, paddy purchase scam, rain storage scam, health equipment procurement scam, drug scam and others bringing sleepless nights to Raghubar.” He appealed to all parties to support Roy in his fight against the alleged corruption and injustice in the Government.
However, as per the seat adjustment among Grand Alliance partners, the seat has gone to Congress and the party has already announced the candidature of its fast national spokesperson Gaurav Vallabh from Jamshedpur east. Vallabh, a professor at the Xavier School of Management (XLRI) in Jamshedpur is new darling of Congress mostly seen in television debates.
Sources in state Congress claimed that by projecting Vallabh from prestigious seat against Chief Minister the party has given one of the best candidates and his candidature is even approved by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. State Congress working president Rajesh Thakur said, “There is no chance of Congress withdrawing its candidate from Jamshedpur east. Our candidate Gaurav Vallabh has even filled his nomination.” Thakur also said that Grand Alliance in State is intact.
Vallabh become the new Congress star in social media when few months back with his ease of knowledge cornered the BJP’s spokesperson Sambit Patra on a TV debate on the state of the Indian economy, asking him if he knew how many zeros are in 5 trillion.
Sources said that the contest at Jamshedpur east will be interesting after Roy and Vallbah jumping into electoral fray.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das and rebel leader Saryu Roy today filed their nominations. The last date for filling nomination for Jamshedpur east is November 25, while the polling will be held on December 12.