KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, Oct 23: A sizable number of JMM activists on Wednesday hit Kandra Chowk to oppose the ticket to any ‘outsider’ candidate from the Seraikela seat.
Led by the party’s central committee member Ramdas Tuddu, dozens of agitated party workers gathered at the landmark Chowk this morning and declared that they would keep themselves away from electioneering in favour of the party if any outsider is given ticket for the Seraikela seat.
The JMM leadership has on Tuesday night declared candidatures for 35 seats except the Seraikela seat which it has put on hold.
It is speculated that either Ganesh Mahali or Basko Besra who have joined the JMM recently having deserted BJP after the party’s stalwart Champai Soren switched over to the saffron party may be given the ticket for the Seraikela seat.
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With just two days left for the filing of nomination to come to an end in the first phase of the nomination process, the JMM loyalists are getting increasingly restless over the prevailing situation.
Growing discontent among loyal party members
“The Seraikela seat continued to be won by the JMM for the past 20 years. And this has been possible only because of the ardent supporters like us. But after the sitting MLA Champai Soren left the party and joined the BJP our party leadership seems to be considering allocating the party ticket to those who were till yesterday in the opponent party. We will not allow it to happen, ” said Ramdas Tuddu while talking to the media during the protest.
Tuddu observed “Majority of the JMM loyalists kept on sticking to the party and worked for the improvement of it even after the sitting MLA Champai Soren left the party, but when it comes to distributing ticket, the party leadership is considering the interest of those who have joined the party leaving the rival party. ”
Prominent among those who participated in the protest include Gorkha Hansda, Rajesh Bhagat, Dharmu Majhi, Gautam Mahto, Birbal Tuddu, Mukesh Mahto, Nagendra Hansda, Debilal Hansda, Bimal Mandal, Rabindra Hansda, Dhaniram Murmu, Lakhiram Tuddu, Gopal Hembram, Durga Sardar, Indro Murmu, Pappu Murmu and Sumit Mahto.
