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Ranchi, March 18: State BJP president Ravindra Rai today asked Governor Syed Ahmed to dissolve the Assembly and dared JMM chief Shibu Soren to come out with a similar demand if he was “sensitive enough” towards the people of Jharkhand.
Addressing his first press conference after assuming charge of the state unit, Rai said: “During the debate on the Jharkhand budget in Parliament, the Union finance minister hinted of early elections in the state. The BJP is asking the Governor how much time he required to recommend dissolution of Assembly.”
The BJP leader challenged the JMM to take a political stand over the dissolution of the Assembly for fresh elections, obliquely criticising it for banking on the Congress to cobble together an alternative government.
“If Soren respects the people of Jharkhand, then he should make a similar demand like us (BJP),” Rai said.
Asked, whether the BJP planned any political movement to pressure the Governor to dissolve the Assembly and announce fresh polls, Rai said that a “plan of action” would be launched soon.
He alleged that the Congress had plotted the fall of the Arjun Munda-led BJP-JMM-Ajsu-JD(U) government and used JMM as a pawn. “The JMM,” he said, “feels cheated now.”
Rai seemed well-aware that his appointment did not have the support of all senior leaders of the party. Hence, he made no bones about seeking the support of one and all.
“I humbly request all party seniors, leaders and intellectuals to give their support and suggestions to strengthen the party. Their suggestions will be discussed and accommodated,” he promised.
One of the major concerns of the state BJP is its inability to capitalise on the JMM’s losing support base in the Santhal Pargana region. He agreed privately that ahead of the Assembly and parliamentary elections in Jharkhand, the BJP was as fast losing grip over Santhal Pargana.
In fact, both the JMM and Babulal Marandi-led Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) have thrown an open challenge to the saffron party.
The BJP was scheduled to convene a day-long meeting of all former party office-bearers in Santhal Pargana in the first week of April.
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