Amid speculations and several names doing rounds for the names of BJP candidates from Ranchi, Koderma and Chatra the Central BJP Election Committee is yet to release the names for three remaining seats in State. BJP insiders claim that the biggest confusion is in finalising the names from Ranchi and Koderma.
Sources said that for Ranchi seat, hectic lobbying is on among BJP state vice president Aditya Sahu, BJP leader and RSS member Pradeep Verma, State Khadi board chairman Sanjay Seth, JSCA former president Amitabh Choudhary. The BJP Election Committee had already indicated that leaders who have crossed 75 years age would not be given ticket and in such situation, Ram Tahal Chaudhary who had represented Ranchi parliamentary constituency for five terms is unlikely to be fielded.
A senior BJP leader requesting anonymity said, “Given the situation it is clear that this time the BJP Central election committee is going to deny ticket of Chaudhary from Ranchi parliamentary constituency. Today, the BJP Central election committee denied ticket of Kanpur sitting MP and former BJP national president Murli Manohar Joshi. Joshi, an octogenarian is fourth senior BJP leader after LK Advani, Kariya Munda and Kalraj Mishra who have been denied ticket and in such situation it is likely that Ram Tahal Choudhary too would be denied ticket this time.” Joshi has been replaced with local Brahmin face Satyadev Pachauri in Kanpur.
However, the BJP leader claimed that if the party wants to replace Chaudhary then it should be any local Kurmi leader like Pachauri in Kanpur otherwise the party will face difficulties in keeping intact its Kurmi vote bank in State capital. The leader’s observation assumes importance as out of six Assembly constituencies falling under Ranchi parliamentary segment, in three Assembly segments—Ichagarh, Silli and Khijri, Kurmi vote bank plays a deciding factor.
Not only Ranchi, party’s Central election committee is contemplating on candidates for Koderma constituency. After RJD State president Annapurna Devi joined BJP there was speculation that she would be fielded from Koderma, but the party is yet to decide on her candidature. Sources said that Koderma sitting MP, Ravindra Rai too is lobbying in Delhi for his re-nomination from Koderma. Also, Pranav Verma son of former BJP MP from Koderma Ritlal Verma is said to be a strong contender from Koderma seat.
Meanwhile, Annapurna Devi today returned from Delhi. On Monday Annapurna had gone to Delhi where she after meeting BJP national president Amit Shah, joined Saffron party in presence of Chief Minister Raghubar Das, BJP national general secretary Bhupender Yadav and State party president Laxman Gilua.
At Birsa Munda International Airport, Annapurna was given a rousing welcome by her supporters and BJP cadres. Talking to media persons, Annapurna said, “I had joined the BJP as I am impressed with the work of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I have joined the party without any lust for ticket. I will work as a BJP cadre.”
Meanwhile, in Chatra the party has decided to field sitting MP Sunil Singh for second consecutive time. Sources said that a strong RSS lobby had stand behind Sunil Singh’s candidature from Chatra.