Uncertainty over BJP-AJSU alliance in Jharkhand continues

Confusion over whether BJP and AJSU in Jharkhand will form an alliance continued into Wednesday, the last day for filing nominations for the first phase of polling in the state. Alliance talks have been on between the two parties since November 10, but they have not been able to reach consensus.

Amid uncertainty, BJP announced that Sukhdeo Bhagat will be its candidate for the Lohardaga seat. AJSU candidate Neeru Bhagat has already filed her nomination for the seat but BJP wants AJSU to withdraw her nomination. Sources in BJP said the party is hopeful that if a deal is struck with AJSU, then AJSU may withdraw Neeru’s nomination by November 16.

On the other hand, AJSU has kept its door open for those BJP MLAs who do not get tickets in the first list. On Tuesday, BJP’s chief whip in the assembly and Chhatarpur MLA Radha Krishna Kishor joined AJSU.

Leaders from JMM and Congress, too, are looking at AJSU as an option in case they don’t get ticket from their respective parties. JMM MLA Baidnath Bhagat was the other politician who joined AJSU on Tuesday. Former state Congress chief Pradeep Balmuchchu has met AJSU president Sudesh Mahto and indicated that he may want to join the party.