Following disgruntled BJP leader Amit Kumar Mahto joining JMM on Thursday, the polls in AJSU Chief Sudesh Mahto’s stronghold Silli Assembly constituency have become really interesting as the two leaders represent the Kurmi community and have a huge voter base in the area. Kumar, contesting on JVM seat during 2009 Assembly Elections was the runner up lagging behind AJSU Chief from merely 7,707 votes. Kumar had succeeded in securing 37966 votes against Mahto’s 45673 votes.
“There is all round opposition in the party cadre itself which may go negative both for AJSU as well as the party in Silli as not a single party worker is in favour of this alliance,” said a senior BJP leader on conditions of anonymity. Anything could happen in this election, he added.
“This alliance could not justified in any respect as we were already in strong position and could have scored well without getting into the alliance, which has been deliberately imposed on us against the will of the party workers,” said another BJP leader. Furthermore, the party workers have lost enthusiasm where BJP has given up its claim leaving the seat for AJSU party, he added.
According to the party workers, they have not forgotten Mahto’s decision to contest against BJP candidate during the last lok Sabha elections. “We cannot spare Mahto who despite being the most trusted partner since the beginning had contested Ranchi seat against Ram Tahal Chuadhary reportedly for his personal gains to damage our vote bank knowing the fact that he was never going to win the seat,” said the BJP worker.
“One cannot sail through easily only by misguiding the senior party leaders sitting in Delhi,” he added.“Had Amit Mahto contested from Silli, it was a confirm seat for us this time; there definitely is a sense of dissatisfaction among the party cadres which may prove to negative for AJSU,” said the BJP worker.AJSU leaders on the other hand, are also of the view that despite Sudesh doing a good job in his constituency, Amit Kumar Mahto and Ram Tahal Chaudhary together are a big factor which may prove to be decisive for Mahto. “The decision taken by Mahto will definitely have negative repercussions during these Assembly elections,” he added.
“The Kurmi votes of Silli area are now going to be almost equally divided into two contenders. If BJP workers revolt Amit Mahto may turn the tables. Ranchi MP Ramtahal Chaudhary has to support Sudesh as he holds a larger voter base in the area,” said another AJSU leader.According to the AJSU leader, both OBC seats of Naveen Jaiswal and Sabo Devi went to BJP where the party had scored well preferring Tamar Assembly seat which is not strategically significant for the party.
“The self centered decision taken by the party chief has exposed its agenda which is bound to have a negative impact on the party during these Assembly elections,” he added.