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| Rajya Sabha polls: MLAs take careful steps for clean image | | | Agencies
ranchi, Jan 19: Following the expose during the biennial elections to the upper house in Jharkhand, candidates and MLAs are treading cautiously this time. More than 20 MLAs of Jharkhand assembly are under the CBI scanner for their alleged involvement in horse-trading in the 2010 and 2012 Rajya Sabha elections in which Dheeraj Sahu (Congress), K D Singh (JMM), Pradeep Balmuchu (Congress) and Sanjeev Kumar (JMM) were declared elected. Given the political equations in the 81-member assembly, the Congress-JMM-RJD-Independent coalition is likely to send two more candidates to the Upper House this time again. However, with RJD planning to field Prem Gupta as its candidate and outgoing MP Parimal Nathwani declaring to contest the elections again, the February 7 poll are going to garner huge attention.
Admitting the change in the environment of Jharkhand politics, particularly in the context of the Rajya Sabha elections, Nathwani has decided not to contest as an independent candidate this time and approach the regional parties for a ticket. "I will go to all the regional parties with my report card seeking a ticket," he said, clarifying that regional parties would have a voice in Parliament if they allow me to contest the election.
Apart from acknowledging the difficulties of executing work as an independent candidate, Nathwani was candid enough to admit that he is not ready to be blamed for practicising horse-trading. "If a regional party allows me the symbol, arranging the requisite number of votes will be the responsibility of that party as well," he said.JMM central secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya showed disinterest in fielding Nathwani as their candidate. He claimed that a formal announcement would be made only after Congress takes a decision about its own candidate.
"Being the largest party in the state assembly, we are going to field one candidate. But only after consulting the Congress, so that victory for both the candidates can be assured," he said, indicating that the JMM candidate would be local but they would not compel Congress about its choice of candidate.
BJP is the only party, which is quiet on the issue. Given the number of voters it has in the house (18), it is waiting for a suitable opportunity to disclose its strategy.
A senior BJP leader said even if Nathwani bags the support of Ajsu Party with six MLAs and JVM (P) with 11 MLAs, he would require 11 additional first preference votes to clinch the seat. "BJP may announce its support to the candidate fielded by Ajsu Party in the wake of long-standing relations between the two parties," he added, requesting anonymity. |
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