by Ashis Sinha
Ranchi: A wave of resignations has hit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jharkhand following the release of its candidate list for 66 assembly seats. Among those resigning are three former MLAs, reflecting growing dissent within the party ranks.
Satyanand Jha Batul, a former MLA from the Nala constituency and ex-minister, submitted his resignation to the state party president. In a video statement, he voiced his disappointment with the party’s current direction, stating, “I have worked for 40 years to build this party since the Jan Sangh days, but now the party has chosen individuals who previously worked against us in the last elections.”
Ramesh Oraon, another former MLA from Bishunpur in Gumla district, has also announced his resignation, revealing plans to run as an independent candidate in both Bishunpur and Lohardaga constituencies.
Arvind Singh, known as Malkhan Singh, who sought a BJP ticket for Ichagarh in East Singhbhum, departed the party after the Ichagarh seat was allocated to the AJSU party under the NDA coalition. He intends to contest as an independent as well.
In an unexpected turn, Maneka Sardar, a three-time MLA from Potka, initially resigned but later reversed her decision after discussions with senior BJP leaders.
Earlier in the week, Kedar Hazra, the BJP MLA from Jamua, switched to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Additionally, Ganesh Mahli and Basco Besra, both of whom narrowly lost in the last election, resigned from all party positions and are anticipated to run on JMM tickets.
Kumkum, who was vying for the Barkatha ticket, also resigned on Monday, choosing to run as an independent candidate.
Dr. Louise Marandi, a senior BJP leader and former minister, stepped down after being denied a ticket for the Dumka assembly seat. Following her resignation, she met with Chief Minister Hemant Soren and later joined the JMM, where she is rumored to be considering a candidacy for the Jama assembly constituency in Santhal Pargana.
As the political landscape in Jharkhand evolves, these resignations highlight growing unrest within the BJP as the assembly elections draw near.
