JMM blinks to Congress over Rajya Sabha seat

Doubly cautious after getting outfoxed by the BJP last time, the JMM has given up early to the Congress by extending its support to the party. The Congress hopes to pocket one Rajya Sabha seat out of total two to grab in Jharkhand that in all likelihood would go to its kitty provided the multi-party Opposition bloc remains intact and does not repeat the 2016. 

Following parlays at the highest level figuring Congress national president Rahul Gandhi and JMM executive present Hemant Soren in Delhi early this week, both the parties involved went for another round of talks on Friday in Ranchi. Congress Jharkhand in-charge RPN Singh, his deputy Omang Singhar and PCC president Ajoy Kumar drove down to sulking JMM supremo Shibu Soren at his residence and then sat with Soren junior to clear the air.

“We have discussed all the issues involved with Congress in-charge and State president.

They had come to clarify the apprehensions of Guruji (Shibu Soren). All the apprehensions have been mitigated now. The JMM is intact with its understanding reached with Rahul Gandhi and extends its support to the Congress in Rajya Sabha poll,” said Hemant Soren flanked by Ajoy Kumar.

The national party has been toiling hard to get the support of 18 eligible votes the JMM has so that its candidate can bridge the magic figure of 27 to reach the Upper House. Together the two parties would reach to 25 and if added two each from the Left and the JVM then there would be easy sailing for the Congress nominee.

Moreover, the Congress to lure the JMM went on painting a rosy picture for the Leader of Opposition. “We express gratitude to the JMM who despite being the larger party has sacrificed the seat for the Congress.

Both our party president and Hemant Soren are young leaders and the relationship built today is here to stay beyond 2019 and Assembly elections in Jharkhand. We would fight the Lok Sabha polls together and Hemant Soren would lead the coalition during Assembly election thereafter,” said RPN Singh.

Congress leaders altogether went on brushing aside the demand of the JMM which was for written commitment from the party about future general elections.

RPN Singh assured that the party would honour its commitment come what may and it did not require a piece of paper. “Yadi humari jaban kat sakti hai to kagaz ka tukda bhi kat sakta hai,” said the in-charge. 

When asked about support required from other “likeminded” parties as well to reach home during the biennial election, Singh said that it would be incumbent upon both the parties to approach the likes of JVM and the Left.

“The coalition arrived at here would bring in other likeminded parties in order to make it stronger. RJD is already our partner in Bihar. We would also talk to JVM and Independents,” he said but remained non-committal to the name.

It is learnt that party old timer in the Rajya Sabha Dheeraj Sahu has purchased nomination papers which can be filled till Monday. Sources in the party said that Sahu is the best candidate to “manage” affairs both in the Congress and the JMM. “There are reports about some JMM members reluctant to Dheeraj Sahu but it does not hold much water since Hemant Soren is there to take the final call,” said one. The Sorens’ party is to sit on Saturday to take an official stand over the election.