Gumla: Rebel BJP youth leader Mishir Kujur refused to withdraw his nomination papers filed for the Gumla constituency in the upcoming assembly election on the last day of withdrawal despite requests made to him by party leaders, including visits by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union minister for tribal affairs Jual Oraon.
Kujur, who lost the 2019 assembly election as BJP candidate from Gumla seat to JMM’s Bhushan Tirkey by about 7,000 votes, was considered a frontrunner for the party ticket. However, BJP chose former Union minister and ex-MP Sudarshan Bhagat, reportedly an RSS favourite.
“Kujur’s name was initially at the top of the probable candidates’ list for Gumla. BJP now faces a tough fight against INDIA bloc nominee and JMM MLA Bhushan Tirkey,” a party insider said. Kujur said, “Sarma sir asked me not to contest, but I explained to him that this was not my decision alone but that of my supporters. They want me in the assembly. As for Jual Oraon, I had a positive discussion with him. We share family ties,” he added. On the final day of withdrawal, six candidates withdrew their nominations — Sitaram Oraon (Independent) and Amit Ekka (Independent) from Gumla seat, Bhairo Singh (Independent), Roshan Barwa (Independent), and Johan Ekka (Sampurna Bharat Kranti Party) from Sisai, and Ram Prasad Baraik (Independent) from Bishunpur. On Tuesday, Maryanus Tigga (Independent) and Leonard Xalxo (Jharkhand Party) withdrew their papers. tnn