SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 24: Congress leader and Mandu (Hazaribagh) constituency candidate Jai Prakash Bhai Patel dismissed the significance of Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) chief Jairam Mahto in the upcoming assembly elections, referring to his party as merely a ‘Vote Katwa’—a party that only divides votes without real influence.
Patel, who was in Dhanbad to attend the nomination of his father-in-law and JMM Tundi candidate Mathura Prasad Mahto, spoke to the media about the political dynamics in the region.
He expressed confidence, saying, “I do not see any challenge from Jairam Mahto if he contests from Mandu, as his party (JLKM) is only a ‘Vote Katwa.’”
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However, Patel acknowledged the popularity of AJSU leader Sudesh Mahto, stating that Sudesh is a respected figure within the community.
Jairam Mahto is planning to contest from two constituencies, including Mandu, and his party has already announced more than 40 candidates for various assembly seats.
Criticism of BJP’s candidate selection
JP Patel, a former JMM leader who won the Mandu assembly seat in 2019 on a BJP ticket before joining Congress in April 2024 to contest the Hazaribagh Lok Sabha seat, took aim at the BJP’s candidate strategy.
He alleged, “BJP does not have its own capable leaders to contest the election and is fighting the assembly election with borrowed candidates from other parties.”
Patel further stated that out of the 66 candidates announced by the BJP so far, “30 of them have come from other parties.”
