Jharkhand assembly elections: CM Raghubar Das may contest from two constituencies

Speculations are rife in political circles that Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das may contest from two constituencies in the upcoming assembly elections. It is believed that CM Raghubar Das could either contest from Ranchi or Dhanbad and from his home constituency of Jamshedpur East.

It is said that the CM Raghubar Das doesn't want to take any chances and wants to fight from a safe constituency as well. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on alert mode and treading cautiously after the assembly election results of Haryana and Maharashtra.

In Haryana, eight out of 10 ministers were not able to retain their seats. Perhaps, the performance of the party in both the states has created a fear psychosis among many political stalwarts in the ruling-BJP.

In the past, Jharkhand has seen how the element of strong anti-incumbency has made even the most popular faces bite the dust, particularly if the representative holds a coveted or a plum post.

In 2014, Babulal Marandi had lost from both the seats he had contested. AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto tasted defeat in his home turf. Union minister Arjun Munda also faced a humiliating defeat. The then CM Hemant Soren had to bite the dust in Dumka, but managed to come to assembly since he had also contested from Berhat.

Till the assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra, the mood was high in BJP camp. In both the states, the party had fixed a target for itself.

Similarly, the party announced a mission 65-plus in Jharkhand. The leaders always boasted to achieve the target easily, but now their body language has changed. Even CM Raghubar Das is looking for a safe seat, if the speculations are to be believed.

Ranchi is known as the fort of the BJP. The party's candidate has never lost from this constituency since 1990. From 1990 to 95, Gulsan Lal Ajmani held the seat in Ranchi.

From 1995-96 former Union minister Yaswant Sinha was Ranchi's MLA. CP Singh carried on party's winning streak from 1996 to 2019.

Perhaps, the record of wins in Ranchi seat for the BJP can exude a sense of security in any candidate. If the CM tries his luck from Ranchi too, the current incumbent CP Singh will be denied the ticket, but then he could be considered for Rajya Sabha elections scheduled in April 2020.

Meanwhile, Dhanbad responded well to CM Das's Jan Aadesh Rally few days ago. The massive support might have raised hope for even this seat.

When BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo was asked about the possibilities of CM Raghubar Das contesting from two seats, he said that even he came across such kind of gossip.

"It is totally absurd and rubbish. There is not an iota of substance in this. He has been a protagonist of development. He is most popular face in Jharkhand's politics. He can win from any seats he contests. But he will contest from Jamshedpur East," Pratul Shahdeo said.

He also said, "Just five months ago, the party candidate in general elections had lead from CM Raghuwar Das's constituency by more than a lakh vote. Why will he need to change his constituency."

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