The JVM's tactical move to suspend four of its "not-reachable" legislators seems not working in its favour. The Babulal Marandi-led party perhaps lost its edge on Tuesday when the breakaway faction swelled to six openly and approached the Assembly Speaker seeking recognition.
The faction in the leadership of suspended Hatia MlA Naveen Jaiswal sent a letter to Speaker Dinesh Oraon expressing their desire to break away from the JVM and join the BJP. The letter was signed by six MlAs- Naveen Jaiswal, Alok Chaurasia (Daltonganj), Amar Kumar Bauri (Chandankiyari), Ganesh Ganjhu (Simaria), Janki Prasad Yadav (Barkatha) and Randhir Singh of Sarath. The number was required to duck the provisions of anti-defection law.
Confirming the development, the Speaker told The Pioneer, "We have received two letters from the JVM. One had come yesterday in which information about suspension of four MlAs from the party fold was given. later, my office got another letter signed by six of the party's MlAs who want to end their association with the JVM and join the BJP. There are certain provisions and we are examining the matter at our level."
When asked about technicalities involved in giving recognition to the faction in the House, the Speaker explained that any decision in this regard would be taken soon and after looking things into perspective. "We will take any decision as per the set rules and regulations and consult law experts if required," he said. Moreover, it is clear that the bloc would be granted recognition without any hassle as it comprises over 2/3 legislative strength of the JVM which has eight MlAs in the House.
Information suggests that all the six legislators are camping in Delhi and waiting to meet BJP national president Amit Shah. As Shah is busy with his son's marriage the meeting is likely to happen on Wednesday evening. Thereafter, the MlAs would return to Ranchi by Thursday and meet the Speaker to complete the formalities. Indications are that Naveen Jaiswal and Randhir Singh may be designated as ministers in the Raghubar Das Cabinet, currently with seven vacancies, and two other would be rewarded with boards and corporations.
On the other, emaciated JVM again went into shell. A meeting of party leaders was called and legislative body leader Pradeep Yadav sat with party chief Babulal Marandi and few other office bearers. As per plan, a delegation went to Raj Bhawan urging the Governor to initiate a probe against alleged horse-trading tactics of BJP in the State.
"The JVM has demanded from the Governor to set up a probe committee headed by a retired judge of the High Court to investigate the nefarious design of the BJP. They are openly trying to purchase our MlAs using money and luring them with posts. This is not healthy for democracy," said Babulal Marandi coming out of the Raj Bhawan. Although Governor Syed Ahmed was not present as he has left for Delhi and the memorandum was received by his Deputy Secretary KK Thakur.
later in the evening the JVM sent a letter to Assembly Speaker requesting him to dismiss the membership of the four MlAs whose names have been sent earlier by the party for suspension.
The party is tight-lipped over defection of Janki Prasad Yadav and Randhir Singh and no decision to initiate similar action against them was taken. When pressed Marandi said that contact had been made to one of the two but sounded unsure about their stand. Sources in the party maintained that there is no hope left and the JVM wanted to segregate the group into two and make the legislators disqualify from Assembly membership. "The party has informed about suspension of the four MlAs to the Speaker as of now. We will see what happens to the others," said Yadav.
Moreover, an official in the Assembly said that as the six MlAs has approached as single group to the Speaker and as per the rules the faction would be treated as single and thus is eligible for a legitimate breakaway.