Durga Soren, the eldest son of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren on Sunday said that he was firm on contesting the Godda Lok Sabha seat, which has been allotted to the Congress, as the JMM candidate.
He filed nomination papers from Godda Lok Sabha seat Saturday - the last day of filing nomination papers for second phase of Lok Sabha elections - despite the seat being conceded to the Congress by the JMM. Furkan Ansari, the sitting MP, is seeking re-election from the seat.
Soren's move surprised everyone including the Congress. According to sources, the Congress approached Shibu Soren in New Delhi Saturday after Durga filed his nomination.
According to sources in election commission, the JMM has submitted a list of seven candidates from Jharkhand which does not include Durga Soren's name. "If the JMM submits a fresh list by Monday, then Durga Soren will be considered as a JMM candidate, otherwise legal action could be initiated," the sources said.
Talking to IANS over telephone from Godda, Durga Soren said he was the official candidate of the JMM from Godda Lok Sabha seat. "The JMM's letter regarding my candidature will reach the election commission, returning officer, and other people concerned Monday. I have filed my nomination on the JMM symbol, signed by party chief Shibu Soren."
{{/usCountry}}Talking to IANS over telephone from Godda, Durga Soren said he was the official candidate of the JMM from Godda Lok Sabha seat. "The JMM's letter regarding my candidature will reach the election commission, returning officer, and other people concerned Monday. I have filed my nomination on the JMM symbol, signed by party chief Shibu Soren."
{{/usCountry}}Asked why he had decided to fight the election at last moment, he said JMM workers wanted him to fight the election. "From day one I am telling everyone that the party would fight all the 14 Lok Sabha seats. UPA (United Progressive Alliance) played a dirty game in Tamar assembly by-election, causing defeat of Baba (Shibu Soren)," he alleged, adding people would teach a lesson to the UPA in the Lok Sabha poll.
In Jharkhand, the Congress and the JMM had agreed on a seat sharing formula for the state's 14 Lok Sabha seats, with the Congress contesting seven and the JMM five. It was also decided to have a "friendly fight" on the Hazaribagh and Koderma seats.
"We are watching the developments. By Monday, everything will be cleared... whether Durga is official candidate of the JMM or not," said a Congress leader on the condition of anonymity.