Wanted: Three Suitable Candidates for BJP in Ranchi, Koderma and Chatra

Ranchi: The opposition alliance has definitely disrupted the arithmetic of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jharkhand. For the BJP is neither being able to field the incumbents, nor the recently poached leaders from the opposition camp.

Voting for Ranchi and Koderma will take place on May 6, while Chatra will be held on April 29 itself, but BJP is yet to announce its candidate from these seats. BJP’s state president Laxman Gilua has made it clear during a news conference that the performance of the three MPs from the respective seats have been poor so they might not be getting the ticket to contest election.

Then obvious option for the world’s largest political party, which is in power, both in Jharkhand and in centre is to get new faces, but the party seems to be in a catch-22 situation.

Coming to Jharkhand’s state capital, Ranchi, which for the BJP has become a problematic seat. The supporters of the outgoing BJP MP Ramtahal Choudhary gheraoed the party office and threatened of dire consequences if the incumbent didn’t get to the ticket to contest.

Seventy seven-year-old Ramtahal, who hails from Kurmi background, is a five-time MP. He has warned that if he doesn’t get the party symbol, then he will be contesting  as an independent candidate. BJP’s dilemma is obvious, as denying him tickets would annoy five lakhs Kurmi voters in Ranchi, where two names are doing rounds – Aditya Sahu and a senior IPS officer, but party is yet to reach on a final decision.

Here, the united opposition has announced Congress’ Subodh Kant Sahay as their collective candidate for the seat.

The story of Koderma seat is more interesting, as here BJP has inducted two people from different political parties– Annapurna Devi, former RJD state chief into the party and Pranav Verma, former JVM leader. And it was believed that either Annapurna or Pranav will get ticket if not sitting MP Ravindra Rai. Rumours of Ravindra joining JVM is rife. But he has refuted the news. Meanwhile, BJP has neither announced any of the three or anyone else from Koderma.

But opposition alliance had fielded its candidate in Babulal Marandi, while CPI (ML) has pitted Rajkumar Yadav from this seat. CPI (ML) had secured the second position for two consecutive elections – 2014 and 2009 in Koderma.

The story of Chatra seat is similar to that of Koderma. Here Girinath Singh, a four-time RJD MLA has been inducted, but neither his nor anybody’s name has been declared as BJP’s candidate. Chatra’s outgoing MP is Sunil Singh.

Speaking about the same, political analyst Kamal Nayan Chaparia, said, “It has been a fortnight since the party declared candidates for ten seats. The delays prove that there is no wave or wind blowing in favour of BJP in Jharkhand. The delay will further dampen the enthusiasm of party workers.”