JMM calls for Opp unity to stop BJP

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has called upon all the Opposition parties to remain united for a third front to remove BJP from power in 2019. Party’s working president Hemant Soren on Monday left on a two-day visit to Delhi to hold parleys with UPA leaders in connection with the Rajya Sabha elections for two seats in Jharkhand taking place on March 23.

Talking to media persons at the airport here on Monday, Soren said that he will talk to leaders of UPA in Delhi about selecting united Opposition’s candidates for the two seats. “I will hold meetings with UPA leaders and talk to Congress president Rahul Gandhi also,” he said.

“Certainly, discussions should be held across the country on how to remove the anarchist NDA regime in 2019. Even the present government in the State has turned it into a ‘Jungle Raaj’ where law and order is in pathetic condition and people are dying of hunger,” said the former CM.

The JMM has already authorised its president Shibu Soren and working president Hemant Soren to decide over candidate and other things related to Rajya Sabha elections. Being the second largest political party in the Assembly, the party has a big say in fielding the candidates.

The Congress and the JVM have not opened their cards yet but given their strength in the Assembly, the parties are likely to support common candidates. State Congress president Ajoy Kumar had recently hold meeting with Hemant Soren in this regard.

Meanwhile, the JMM has written to the Election Commission of India demanding removal of ADG (Special Branch) Anurag Gupta and Press Advisor to CM, Ajay Kumar from their posts in connection with the alleged irregularities in 2016 Rajya Sabha poll.

In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner of India, JMM General Secretary Vinod Pandey has stated that the two officers had used their positions to make MLAs cast votes in favour of BJP’s Mahesh Poddar during the polls. He has again stated that the ECI had taken cognisance of the complaints registered by various political parties and had recommended action against the said officials to the State government.

However, he stated that the ADG is still working on the same post and acting as the executive worker of the BJP, while conspiring to affect the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Similarly, he alleged that CM’s Political Advisor has changed his mask and working as press advisor to CM and planning to indulge in similar activities.

The party has thus demanded removal of the two officials immediately and legal action against them to ensure free, fair and fearless election in the State. It stated that continuation of Gupta and Kumar on their posts would be violation of Model Code of Conduct, illegal and immoral.