SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, May 10: A viral video clipping of BJP Dhanbad candidate Dhulu Mahto levelling serious charges against his party MP and MLAs has pushed him on a sticky wicket in the election.
In the video clipping, that is viral on social media, Dhulu Mahto, a history sheeter facing 19 criminal cases and convicted in two cases, is heard saying that his Dhanbad MP (PN Singh) and MLAs (Raj Sinha, Aparna Sengupta) have either taken money from coal thieves, and criminals or fear speaking against them.
Dhulu Mahto (Baghmara MLA) is seen speaking this to media persons at Randhir Verma Chowk Dhanbad. However, supporters of Dhulu Mahto have termed the video fake and a conspiracy of opposition parties.
‘The Jharkhand Story’ news portal does not confirm the authenticity of this viral video.
Dissidence in BJP against Dhulu is not over
However, it shows that the dissidence in the party over the candidature of Baghmara MLA Dhulu Mahto for the Dhanbad Lok Sabha seat has not settled completely. The video clipping has fuelled the fire further.
MP PN Singh says he is sad
Though BJP MLAs Raj Sinha(Sadar), Aparna Sengupta (Nirsa), and Indrajit Mahto (Sindri) have not reacted to the allegation of Dhulu Mahto so far, sitting MP Pashupati Nath Singh, who has been denied ticket 4th times, responded duly and said that he is sad from the allegation of Dhulu Mahto but not angry.
Didn’t face any allegation in 45 years of political career: Singh
“I don’t know under which mission Dhulu Mahto has made this allegation at the time of election and only he can explain it. In 45 years of political life, I became 3 times councillor, 3 times MLA and 3 times MP, minister of different departments in the State, BJP state chief but nobody, even the opposition leaders, levelled corruption charges against him,” said PN Singh to media persons.
However, the internal rift between PN Singh and party candidate Dhulu Mahto widened after Cong candidate Anupama Singh, wife of Congress MLA Anup Singh met Dhanbad MP (PN Singh) at his residence and took blessing.
BJP Jharkhand in-charge rushes to Dhanbad
Having seen the situation going out of control for party, BJP Jharkhand in-charge Laxmikant Bajpai rushed Dhanbad for damage control and met Sadar MLA Raj Sinha, Nirsa MLA Aparna Sengupta, former MLA Kunti Singh (mother of former MLA Sanjiv Singh), and Tara Devi, wife of sick Sindri MLA Indrajit Mahto at their residence.
A senior office-bearer of the BJP district unit said that much water has flown in River Damodar after the allegation of Dhulu Mahto. “Only time will say how much Laxmikant Bajpaijee succeeded in the damage control,” said the office bearer.
It is no secret in Dhanbad that Baghmara MLA Dhulu Mahto has no cordial relation with the party MP.
BJP MLAs campaign for Dhulu
However, MLAs, Raj Sinha, and Aparna Sengupta are seen engaged in campaigning for the party. Even Ragni Singh, wife of former Jharia MLA Sanjiv Singh, who has a rivalry with Dhulu Mahto for supremacy of trade union over coal turf, is campaigning in the poll for him in her Jharia assembly constituency area.
