Ranchi is all set to witness a multidimensional contest in the upcoming General Elections with two heavyweights of Jharkhand politics — sitting MP Subodh Kant Sahay and AJSU chief Sudesh Kumar Mahto — throwing the gauntlet in the election ring today.
Both Sahay and Mahto on Saturday filed their nomination for Ranchi parliamentary constituency on Saturday.The ASJU chief accompanied hundreds of his supporters in the cavalcade to file nomination for Ranchi lok Sabha seat. Mahto assured that he will ensure Jharkhand’s voice is heard in Delhi.
“Effort will be made to establish a better face of the State. This is the first step in the direction of fulfilling the objectives of forming this State,” said Mahto after filing nomination.
later, sitting MP Sahay filed his nomination and tried to portray brave face despite the competition becoming more intense with the AJSU chief entering the poll fray. Sahay was joined by hundreds of supporters that included few Tana Bhagats who came with traditional musical instruments to meet the Ranchi MP while he was on the way to filing nomination. “I never underestimate my opponents. I believe in karma (deeds). My association with Ranchi has been 37 years old and I have won in odd situations,” asserted Sahay.
Interestingly, Sahay, who represents another dimension in the contest, downplayed allegations of corruption and alleged involvement in Coal Block scams. The Ranchi MP also refuted charges of using money power to secure the seat levelled by other contestants.“I am an open book and believe in contesting elections with clean hands,” said Sahay.
Notably, among the high profile battle for the lok Sabha are BJP’s Ram Tahal Chaudhary and JVM’s Amitabh Chaudhary. Other candidates who filed nomination for Ranchi are – Rajendra Singh Munda of CPI (M), Arshad Ayub (Independent) and Chintamani Mahto (Independent). Sitting Khunti MP and Deputy Speaker of lok Sabha Karia Munda filed nomination at Khunti. Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand Arjun Munda conducted a road show at Khunti to garner support in favour of the Khunti MP.
Significantly, nomination filing for the third phase constituency ended on Saturday with several nominations made across the four constituencies- Chatra, Palamu, Koderma and lohardaga. As many as eight nominations were filed for Palamu and Koderma, four for lohardaga and one reportedly from Chatra parliamentary constituency.