Ranchi, Feb. 11: The JVM exodus marks a return to the age-old politics of horse-trading, hushed whispers and intrigues in Jharkhand.

Barely six weeks in power, the Raghubar Das government, which promised change, is mirroring what Jharkhand politics has seen these past 14 years - self-preservation at the cost of voter mandate, exemplified by the six JVM MLAs who switched sides today.

Navin Jaiswal

Hatia MLA Jaiswal, largely seen as the leader of this six-pack, today gave his reasons for joining the BJP: "BJP aur pradhan mantri Narendra Modi ke haath ko strong karne ke liye BJP join kiya (I joined the BJP to strengthen the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi)."

But, what is surprising is Jaiswal's recent political history. Till the recent past, Hatia's Navin Jaiswal was an Ajsu MLA. Then, he became a JVM MLA. Now, he is a BJP MLA. Jaiswal earned voter sympathy when he was refused the Hatia ticket by Ajsu chief Sudesh Mahto due to BJP's arm-twisting. The BJP fielded Seema Sharma from Hatia. JVM chief Babulal Marandi placated a humiliated Jaiswal and gave him his party ticket. Jaiswal avenged himself by defeating BJP's Sharma but showed no qualms about deserting the JVM two months later.

Ganesh Gounjhu

Simaria's Gounjhu, suspended by the JVM two days ago, had told The Telegraph he was "aghast". In a volte-face that left people stunned, today Gounjhu said he had joined the BJP as it had been 14 years since the state was created and it needed development. "Jharkhand ko majbut karna hai, vikas karna hai, isliye BJP join kiye (Need to strengthen and develop the state, which is why I joined the BJP)," said the MLA in Delhi, who was with the JMM when he requested the BJP for an Assembly ticket. Rebuffed, he had joined the JVM and won the polls

Randhir K. Singh

Sarath MLA Singh, who contested from little known Loktantrik Samata Dal in 2009, thought in 2014 that JVM was a step up and the BJP some steps higher-up. Today, asked why he joined the BJP, Singh, who has long-time association with labour outfits and collieries, said: "Jharkhand ko desh ke viksit rajyon ki shreni mein le jana hai (I aim to take Jharkhand to the league of developed states)."

Amar Kumar Bouri

Chandankyari MLA Bouri was with BJP in the past. Denied a BJP ticket during the last Assembly polls, he joined the JVM and won. Ambition fulfilled, he ditched Babulal Marandi to join the saffron fold again.

Alok K. Chourasia

Chourasia, a first time MLA from Daltonganj, learnt the moves of the game in less than two months.

Janki Prasad Yadav

The first time MLA but a veteran in politics, Yadav had old associations with the RJD but had been with the JVM since quite some time. This is his first brush with the BJP.

Losers' Club

Arjun Munda may for the first time feel a sneaking sympathy for Babulal Marandi. The former chief ministers, locked in power struggles in the BJP till Marandi moved out to launch the JVM in the 2000s, are now in the same boat after losing the Assembly polls.

Welcoming the defectors, Munda advised Marandi to "brainstorm over developments to know what exactly was going wrong".

BJP's Sharma, licking her wounds, said: "Some bargain must have taken place."

Congress candidate from Hatia Alok Dubey said: "Jaiswal ditched Hatia voters. He will face the consequences."