Cong begins groundwork to retain Bermo seat

Ranchi: The Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee on Sunday announced that the party has begun the groundwork for the Bermo bypoll. The seat fell vacant following the demise of its legislator Rajendra Singh in May and as per rules, a bypoll has to take place within six months.
While the Election Commission (EC) is yet to make any announcement, workers of Congress, which is a part of the ruling alliance in Jharkhand, have started mobilising its resources to retain Bermo.
On Sunday, state party president Rameshwar Oraon visited the residential office of the deceased MLA at Jaridih block in Bermo constituency and held extensive meetings with the party workers to chalk out a roadmap ahead of the impending polls. Oraon said, "Today’s introductory meeting is to encourage party workers in this constituency to mobilise resources and initiate the groundwork. The Bermo seat has traditionally been represented by Congress and we are sure of retaining the seat this time as well with a larger margin."
Addressing the workers, Oraon said as part of the ruling coalition, Congress has key departments in its fold, like rural development, health, food and civil supplies and finance, which are directly linked with the common people’s welfare. He added, "The state government is working in a mission-mode to serve the public and as Congressmen, the party cadre should connect with the masses to resolve their woes, bring their problems to the government’s notice for a time-bound solution."
The EC is also yet to announce the bypoll date for Dumka which fell vacant in January when chief minister Hemant Soren vacated it and retained the Barhait seat.
JMM will most likely field its candidate for the seat. Congress spokesperson Alok Dubey said, "Both in Bermo and Dumka, the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance will ensure victory."