Congress to showcause its absentee Jharkhand MLA for remaining absent from RS polling

One possible theory on why Singh stayed away was JMM putting up a candidate last month against him, making his win difficult. Singh was contesting for the first time following the death of his father, Bidesh Singh, who was the sitting MLA from Panki.

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Meanwhile, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) leader Babulal Marandi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s acting chief Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rajendra Singh met Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Yadav on Monday.

JVM (P) leader Bandhu Tirkey, who also attended the meeting, said: “We discussed the need to stay together and beat the communal and fascist forces. However, with things like cross-voting happening, there is certainly a question mark over how all the parties will move ahead together.”

JMM general secretary and spokesperson Vinod Pandey said: “We are aware of who crossed votes. It is for their party to take action. We are sure that there was no let up from within JMM. We are also planning to go to court against the state government’s tactics.”

The needle of suspicion is being pointed towards MLAs from the JVM (P) folders. However, Marandi, following the meeting with Yadav, categorically maintained that his party did not betray the opposition.

Apart from absence of Congress MLA, the attitude adopted by Chamra Linda, the JMM MLA, who was arrested on the day of polling, is also being questioned now.

“He simply decided to stay in hospital, not trying to approach the court for a permission to vote. If Enos Ekka can come in an ambulance, why couldn’t he,” said a Congress party office-bearer.

It may be recalled that Congress had been among the most vocal and active in raising the voice against the ‘state’s strong arm tactics’ when the news about Linda being taken into custody broke on the eve of Rajya Sabha polls.

“JMM has betrayed many people in the past. But, this time, they were ready to treat us with respect and like a big brother. That was why we supported them. But such things (cross-voting) in Jharkhand are not surprising. We will have to see how we can move forward,” said the office-bearer.