Dhanbad: Supriyo Bhattacharya, the General Secretary of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has sparked controversy with his recent statement suggesting that the JMM would back Congress if it nominates independent MLA Sarju Rai for the Dhanbad Lok Sabha seat. This statement has been met with strong opposition from Congress workers.
Addressing to the media persons Rajeshwar Singh Yadav, the Senior Vice President of the Dhanbad District Congress Committee, accused the JMM of trying to demoralize Congress workers by proposing Rai as a candidate. Yadav stressed that Congress workers would only support a local candidate from Dhanbad and would reject any outsider.
Yadav highlighted Dhanbad’s historical association with Congress, insisting that the party should nominate a candidate from the local area. He mentioned assurances from Gulab Ahmed Mir Saheb, the Congress in-charge for Jharkhand, regarding the selection of a local, committed candidate from Dhanbad.
Yadav reiterated the demand to the central leadership, emphasizing the need for a candidate with local roots and a clean image for the Dhanbad Lok Sabha seat. He cautioned that failure to meet this demand could result in losing the seat, which is currently held by Congress.
Yadav also suggested that if the JMM is keen on Rai, they should consider nominating him for the Giridih seat, which is already under their control. He criticized the JMM for interfering in Congress-held seats, calling it a violation of the alliance’s principles.
The press conference was attended by several members of the Dhanbad District Congress Committee, including Yogendra Singh Jogi, Dhanbad Block President Pappu Kumar Paswan, and others.
