Shailendra Mahto on his way to file his nomination on Tuesday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, March 31: Former JMM MP Shailendra Mahto filed his nomination papers as an All Jharkhand Students’ Union (Sudesh) — Ajsu — candidate from the Jamshedpur Lok Sabha constituency today.

Mahto filed his papers before returning officer Rabindra Kumar Agarwal in his chamber. The 55-year-old former JMM MP, who won the Jamshedpur seat in 1989 and 1991, walked from Aambagan to the district collectorate with wife Abha.

Ajsu cadre carrying flags and banners were waiting for Mahto with drums and nagaras. They followed Mahto in a procession that stopped some yards from the collectorate office. Despite the jubilation around him, Mahto, a veteran in the caste-ruled politics of the nation, appeared to be in a pensive mood. He spoke little and walked briskly into the chamber.

Mahto, who played an active role in the Jharkhand movement, was later accused in bribery case. He became a government approver.

Considered a strategist, he bade goodbye to the JMM to join the BJP while Atal Behari Vajpayee was at the helm. He also formed his own party but later disbanded it to join hands with former BJP MP Shalkhan Murmu and raked up the domicile issue.

Besides Mahto, Independents Victor A. Lazarus and Kinkar Gaud also filed their nominations today. The last date for filing papers is April 4. The withdrawal deadline is April 8.