NEW DELHI: The BJP, which uses dynasty politics as a weapon to attack its political opponents, is facing charges of nepotism in ticket distribution in Jharkhand from its own leaders and workers. Kin of several prominent leaders, including three former chief ministers, have been given tickets to contest the assembly elections leading to discontent among a section of state leaders.
Prominent politicians whose kin have been given tickets include:
- Meera Munda: Wife of former chief minister and Union minister Arjun Munda
- Babulal Soren: Son of former chief minister Champai Soren
- Purnima Das: Daughter-in-law of former chief minister Raghubar Das
- Shatrughan Mahto: Brother of BJP MP Dullu Mahto
- Roshan Lal Choudhary: Brother of Chandra Prakash Choudhary
- Ragini Singh: Wife of former MLA Sanjeev Singh
BJP has also given tickets to several leaders who quit other parties and some who had lost the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. Sita Soren, who is the daughter-in-law of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren and had joined the BJP ahead of Lok Sabha elections, has been given ticket from Jamtara. Sita had lost the Lok Sabha elections to JMM candidate Nalin Soren. Similarly, Sameer Oraon and Geeta Koda, wife of another former chief minister Madhu Koda, have also been given tickets despite their loss in Lok Sabha elections.
Several leaders who have left other parties to join the saffron party have also been accommodated by the BJP. Lobin Hembrom, who quit JMM and is close to Champai Soren, has been given ticket. Ex-NCP leader Kamlesh Singh, ex-Congress leaders Manju Devi and Sunny Toppo have also made it to the BJP list.
This has left many in the BJP unhappy and angry. BJP leader Louis Marandi, who had defeated CM Hemant Soren in the 2014 assembly election quit the saffron party and joined the JMM on Monday. Louis was also the HRD minister in the Raghubar Das-led NDA government.
Sandeep Verma, Jharkhand BJP state working committee member, has urged the party leadership to reconsider distribution of tickets. “Why should Champai Soren and his son both get BJP tickets? questions Sandeep, who has hinted at contesting as an Independent.
Other BJP leaders like Laxman Tudu, Basko Besra, Ganesh Mahali and Kunal Sarangi joined the JMM.
However, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswma Sarma, who is also the BJP co-incharge of Jharkhand assembly elections, claimed there had been no fissures within the party over ticket distribution and some resentment was natural. The Assam chief minister also denied allegations of nepotism.
“The accusation is misplaced as ticket was given to Meera Munda since Arjun Munda is not contesting the assembly elections. Likewise, Raghubar Das’s daughter-in-law Purnima Das Sahu got ticket as he is not contesting elections,” Sarma said.
Himanta Sarma defended tickets to Champai Soren and his son and said it was a commitment made to them when he had joined the BJP after quitting the ruling JMM.
Interestingly, it is not just the BJP that is accused of promoting family in Jharkhand. The JMM and the Congress also have several leaders who benefit from the family lineage.
Chief minister Hemant Soren of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leads the list as he benefits from the legacy of his father Shibu Soren. His wife, Kalpana Soren, is MLA from Gandey and is likely to contest again. Hemant Soren’s brother Basant Soren will also likely contest from Dumka.
There have been several instances in the past when JMM and Congress have given tickets based on family lineage.
After Simon Marandi, a multiple-time JMM MLA from Littipara, passed away, his son Dinesh William Marandi took his place and won the last election and may get the ticket again.
Following the death of JMM’s influential leader and former deputy chief minister Sudhir Mahto, the party positioned his wife, Savita Mahto, to contest the Ichagarh seat in the assembly. This time, either she or her daughter, Sneha Mahto, is expected to run for the seat.
Similarly, after the demise of former minister Jagarnath Mahto on the Dumri seat, his wife, Baby Devi, was chosen by the party to carry forward his political legacy. She was not only elected as an MLA but also appointed as a minister. It is almost certain that either she or her son, Raju Mahto, will be the party’s candidate for this seat.
In the same vein, following the death of former minister Haji Hussain Ansari on the Madhupur seat, his son, Hafizul Hasan, was fielded by the party. After winning the election, he became a minister and is set to contest this seat once again.
Similarly, Congress MLA from Mahagama, Deepika Pandey Singh is sure to get the ticket again. Her father-in-law Awadh Bihari Singh has been an MLA from this seat and a minister in the Bihar government. Congress’s Amba Prasad, daughter of former MLA Yogendra Sao from Barkagaon, was elected MLA last time and will contest again. This time Amba Prasad’s younger sister Anupriya is also a contender for the ticket from the neighbouring Hazaribagh seat.
Clearly, the practice of promoting family members transcends party lines in Jharkhand.
(With inputs from agencies)