Ranchi, March 4: The decision to fight the coming elections in alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is being “imposed” by the Congress high command on the state unit.
Party sources said three meetings of the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC) executive committee have been held since it was constituted in October last year and in all the meetings, members protested against an alliance with the JMM.
However, the party unit did not have the courage to defy the wishes of the party bosses in Delhi.
“The decision to ally with JMM follows the realisation within the Congress that it can’t dethrone the NDA government at the Centre without the help of regional players. The only criteria was that the regional party should have a secular image,” said a JPCC leader.
In November AICC president Sonia Gandhi asked state party president Thomas Hansda to start negotiating with JMM and RJD.
Hansda confirmed there were “differences of opinion” on the issue in the executive committee meetings. “Do tarah ke mat the (there were two opinions). However, there was a consensus that the final decision should be taken by the party high command,” he said
Sources said the Congress high command wanted to check division of anti-BJP votes. However, the state Congress leaders felt a Congress-JMM alliance would help JMM not Congress.
“Congress is a national party with a progressive image. JMM is a regional party with a tainted leader like Sibu Soren who has been charged in a bribery case. JMM’s image also suffered a setback during the domicile controversy as it could not clear its stand on the issue,” sources added.
A senior party leader said: “If JMM vacates a seat for Congress, our party will benefit as JMM supporters will vote for the Congress candidate. But a Congress voter will never vote for JMM. If Congress gives JMM a seat, Congerss voters will prefer BJP to JMM. So instead of helping JMM, we will be helping BJP.”
“Sibu Soren is known for breaking promises. He is not a reliable. alliance partner. Even if a tie-up happens, JMM will dictate terms,” sources added.
The alliance is not the only thing worrying party workers here.
The Congress meeting, held at the party headquarters in Ranchi to chalk out details of the proposed roadshow of Sonia Gandhi, failed to yield any result.
AICC secretary and in-charge for the roadshow in Jharkhand, Sardar Iqbal Singh is here for the “pilot survey”. Singh held a meeting yesterday and today to discuss the route and dates for the show. However, no final decision was taken.
Sources said Singh inform the AICC top brass of the suggestions of the party workers on the proposed route and suitable dates.
The schedule will be finalised only after the approval of the party high command.
Party workers are upset by the delay. “Elections dates have been announced but the party leadership is yet to start the campaign here. All this will adversely affect poll prospects here,” said a party worker.
