The declaration of JMM candidates for Lok Sabha polls is getting longer this time. Though JMM party general secretary, Supriyo Bhattacharya, while addressing media on Saturday had said that party will declare its candidate’s list in 48 hours but party insiders informed that it will take much more time.
Sources informed that the party has decided to wait till April 3 for the decision of High Court in the sitting Dumri MLA Jagannath Mahto case.
“We are waiting for the decision of the High Court. The court had in its hearing on March 25 in the case of Jagannath Mahto had stayed the Tenughat civil court order and decided the next hearing of the case on April 3. The party has decided to be cautious and announce the names of the candidate after the High Court hearing on April 3 as otherwise it would have to alter the list if there is any against ruling in connection with Jagannath Mahto,” said a senior member of the JMM.
Incidentally, party is keen on fielding Jagannath Mahto as candidate from Giridih constituency for a direct fight with Ajsu’s Chandra Prakash Chaudhary.
The case against Jagannath Mahto pending in High Court from 2016 when he was accused for responsible homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the death of Nawadih police station OC, Ram Chandra Ram who died while on duty while trying to control a torchlight procession led by Jagannath Mahto on the eve of Jharkhand bandh called by JMM to protest domicile policy of the government on May 14.
“We have already finalized the names and will be announcing the names of the candidates soon. It is not true that the names are being held back for the High Court case of Jagannath Mahto. We will be announcing names of candidates for Odisha, Bihar, Bengal and Jharkhand together,” said a senior leader.
However, sources in the party revealed that party has also kept the names of Jai Prakash Bhai Patel (Mandu MLA) in case High Court ruling goes against Jagannath Mahto. Giridih goes to polls on May 12 and candidates can file nomination after April 16.