Dubey skips CM’s ‘peace’ meeting in Deoghar

Dumka: Even as BJP is trying to win all three parliamentary seats in the JMM stronghold of the tribal-dominated Santhal Pargana, a widening rift within the party could undermine its attempt ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
After BJP’s sitting MP from Nishikant Dubey accused the party’s Madhupur MLA Raj Paliwar and his family of working against him in a social media post a couple of days ago, chief minister Raghubar Das flew to Deoghar late on Sunday to hold meetings with members of all the 18 assembly segments in the region. It was the CM’s second visit to Santha Pargana in a week.

Dubey however did not attend the CM’s meeting with the party’s core committee members and MLAs of the assembly segments of the Dumka, Godda and Rajmahal Lok Sabha seats. Dubey said: “I was not present at the meeting as I was busy somewhere else.”

He reiterated that Paliwar was working to orchestrate his defeat. “Paliwar, who otherwise is trying to prove himself as a loyal BJP leader, is regularly organizing meetings in Godda pretending to be following the party leadership’s directions, but he is canvassing against me,” Dubey said. “If he was such committed party cadre, why isn’t he organizing meetings in Dumka and Rajmahal to strengthen the prospects our nominees?” he questioned.

Paliwar rejected Dubey’s allegations. “I am busy campaigning for our candidates to ensure Narendra Modi returns as the Prime Minister,” he said.

Local BJP leaders, however, are concerned with the rift in the party. “This cold war between the two will make it difficult for us to retain even the Godda seat. The situation has certainly made the party leadership desperate as evident from the CM’s sudden visit to bridge the gap between Dubey and Paliwar,” said a senior party leader.