Jamshedpur: Jharkhand Vikas Morcha MLA from Ichagarh Arvind Singh is likely to join Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in the next couple of weeks. JMM consequently is very likely to face a tumult within over Assembly ticket issue.
Sources close to the JVM leader said Singh may formally announce his decision to quit the JVM and join the JMM in Ranchi. Several rounds of talks have been held between the senior JVM leader and JMM leaders so far.
Asked about his plans to quit the JVM, the MLA said, �I will reveal my plans after 15 days. As for the time being, I am with Babulal Marandi.�
The JVM leader added that he was in no way going to join the BJP, thereby scotching speculations about his plans to join the BJP in the presence of PM Narendra Modi in Ranchi on 21st August.
While for the JVM leader, joining JMM could be a step aimed at alienating himself from a disintegrating party, his entry into JMM may boost the party�s base in Kolhan. The Ichagarh MLA is considered to have a good hold in Ichagarh and other parts of Seraikela-Kharsawan and East Singhbhum.
Roping Arvind Singh in may give a fillip to JMM�s efforts to increase its closeness to the Bihari community which forms a sizeable part of the total population in Kolhan region.
However, the JMM may have to face the wrath of the Kurmi community, the Mahatos, in case Arvind Singh claims a ticket from Ichagarh. This is because earlier, late Sudhir Mahato, former deputy CM and senior JMM leader, represented Ichagarh Assembly seat as MLA.
After his demise, his wife Savita Mahato is being seen as a claimant for the party ticket from Ichagarh. In this situation, Singh�s claim for a ticket may clash directly with Savita Mahato�s claim.
Importantly, JMM had to face much criticism of the Kurmis during Rajya Sabha elections in the state this year when it did not give ticket to Savita Mahato. Kurmis had gone on protest statewide against this decision.
Now it is for the JMM leaders including Chief Minister Hemant Soren and party president Sibu Soren to decide which way to go. The party leadership is sure to find itself on the horns of a dilemma on deciding party ticket.
The only way out could be giving ticket to the two probables for different Assembly constituencies to prevent clash of claims. In such situation, one of the candidates not getting a ticket for Ichagarh will have tough road ahead in the Assembly elections.
Asked about the imminent situation, Ramesh Hansda, district JMM president of East Singhbhum, said, �Savita Mahato is entitled to get the ticket from Ichagarh after her husband�s death. However the final decision is to be taken by party high-ups.�