RANCHI: Amid growing friction among ruling alliance partners in Jharkhand, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and CPI(ML) with four and two MLAs respectively, have alleged that despite being part of the INDIA bloc, they have not been approached by either the Congress or the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) regarding the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
Notably, the JMM, with 34 MLAs, is confident of winning one Rajya Sabha seat as it requires only 28 votes to secure a berth. However, uncertainty persists over the second seat, with the Congress staking claim to it.
With four MLAs in the 81-member Assembly, the RJD's votes assume significance given the uncertainty surrounding the second Rajya Sabha seat.
RJD MLA Suresh Paswan expressed displeasure over being ignored by alliance partners.
“Given the fact that we are an integral part of INDIA Alliance in Jharkhand, neither the JMM nor the Congress party has approached us in connection with the Rajya Sabha polls,” said Paswan. “They are deciding everything on their own without consulting us, which is not fair,” he added.
According to RJD sources, a meeting of the party's four legislators was held on Wednesday, during which they expressed resentment over the issue, saying they had not been able to take a stand on the Rajya Sabha polls. Despite having four legislators, their views should also be respected by alliance partners, the sources said.
Similarly, CPI(ML) State Secretary Manoj Bhakt asserted that neither the JMM nor the Congress had so far held any formal discussions with his party regarding the Rajya Sabha elections, nor had they shared any strategy. He, however, reiterated that CPI(ML)'s primary objective in the Rajya Sabha elections is to ensure the BJP's defeat.
The ruling alliance led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren currently holds 56 seats in the 81-member Assembly. The JMM, with 34 MLAs, is the largest constituent of the alliance, while the Congress, with 16 MLAs, is the second-largest partner. The RJD has four seats, while CPI(ML) has two MLAs.
Statistically, the second seat could go to the INDIA alliance. Despite that, the Congress must seek support from its coalition partners and is still awaiting Chief Minister Hemant Soren's approval to field its candidate.
Adding to the uncertainty is the widening gap between the JMM and Congress since the Assam Assembly elections. Although Congress leaders have held discussions with the party's Jharkhand in-charge, K Raju, Chief Minister Hemant Soren is yet to give his approval. Under the prevailing circumstances, the final decision is likely to rest with Soren.
Meanwhile, the BJP has added a fresh element of intrigue to the contest by announcing its intention to field a candidate, further intensifying political suspense surrounding the Rajya Sabha polls.
Despite falling short of the numbers required to secure a Rajya Sabha seat in Jharkhand, Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi expressed confidence that legislators would vote according to their conscience, paving the way for the BJP candidate's victory. According to Marandi, in the absence of a whip, legislators are free to cast their votes according to their personal discretion.
The NDA currently has 24 seats, comprising the BJP's 21, the LJP's one, the AJSU's one, the JD(U)'s one and one from others.
Meanwhile, the role of Jairam Mahto, the sole legislator from the JLKM, is also considered significant as he has not yet clarified his stand.
