THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, April 24: JMM MLA Chamra Linda today turned a rebel and filed a nomination from the Lohardaga parliamentary constituency as an Independent candidate.
The Congress has fielded Sukhdeo Bhagat from Lohardaga under the INDI Alliance seat-sharing arrangement.
Linda filed his papers minutes after BJP nominee Sameer Oraon filed his nomination paper amid the presence of leader of the opposition Amar Bauri, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and sitting Lohardaga MP Sudarshan Bhagat.
A Congress party leader said that Linda’s step would trouble Bhagat.
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Lohardaga’s seat went to Congress after discussing seat sharing in the INDIA Bloc. But Linda’s entry defying the INDIA Bloc seat-sharing decision has created a problem a day before Bhagat is expected to file his nomination.
Congress state president Rajesh Thakur expressed his concern over Linda’s defiance. “It should not have been done once a decision was taken in the INDIA Bloc on seat sharing. Linda has filed as an Independent candidate. The JMM will be able to tell better on this issue. It has to be seen under what circumstances a JMM leader took the step when it was principally decided that there will be only one candidate from the INDIA Block in any parliamentary constituency,” he said.
JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya, in his reaction to Linda’s step, said, “Anyone can file nomination. The date of withdrawal is yet to come. Once the date of withdrawal passes, the party will be able to say anything in the matter.”
