BJP starts to explore a post-poll AJSU deal

Jamshedpur: With the situation getting somewhat tricky, the BJP, which is contesting on its own, has already begun window-shopping in Jharkhand. There are indications that the BJP was “open to the idea of tying up” with All Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU) in a post-poll scenario. Though the AJSU is a part of the NDA, it is contesting independently. The BJP top brass is also in touch with a former party member and JVM(P) supremo Babulal Marandi for a possible post-poll alliance.

While the BJP seemed to be fighting a tough battle in this tribal-dominated and Maoist-ridden state, the fight could get harder for chief minister Raghubar Das even at his home turf — East Jamshedpur. The battle gets interesting as the chief minister is facing former Cabinet colleague Saryu Roy. On November 18, BJP leader Saryu Roy filed his nomination papers to fight against Mr Das as an Independent. Mr Roy had quit the cabinet as he was denied a ticket from Jamshedpur West Assembly constituency.

As one approaches Bistupur, which falls in the CM’s constituency, the first thing you see are the posters of these two leaders put up all across the constituency. At some places, the posters face each other. All eyes are on this face-off  between the two top leaders in the state. It was learnt that Mr Roy still has a “plenty of sympathisers within the party”, who could possibly work covertly to dent the chief minister’s prospects.

Besides this, some within the BJP are also worried about the shadow of anti-incumbency, which they feel was “growing daily”.

The first chief minister to complete a five-year term in this politically-turbulent state, Mr Das, speaking to this newspaper, sounded confident of retaining power in Jharkhand. He rejected the Opposition campaign of “tribals versus non-tribals” against him. Mr Das, a non-non-tribal leader in tribal-dominated Jharkhand, said: “This is rubbish. A tribal also wants development just like a non-tribal. The Opposition has no issue against this government, so are trying to sway sentiments by trying to divide Jharkhandis into tribals and non-tribals for political gain.” He went on to add: “Guruji (JMM supremo Shibu Soren) had played this tribal card and realised that polarisation does not work.”

Asked about the possibility of joining hands with the AJSU, the chief minister said “all options are open”. He said the BJP never considers any political outfit as “untouchable”. He added: “In politics, there should always be an alternative.” The signal was somewhat clear — the “confident” chief minister might not be so confident about forming a government on his own.

Then quickly putting on his “confident” face, the CM claimed that of 82 Assembly seats, “we are achieving our target of 65 plus”. On Saryu Roy, the CM only had this to say: “Everyone has a right to contest.”