JMM writes to Nitin Gadkari to withdraw BJP’s RS candidate

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Wednesday appealed to ally BJP to withdraw its candidate SS Ahluwalia and instead vote for JMM nominee Sanjeev Kumar in the May 3 Rajya Sabha elections.

"We have sent a letter to the BJP President requesting his party’s support to JMM. We expect the BJP will vote for our candidate like it did last time (March 30)," JMM leader and Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren told PTI here.

"Though after a belated decision, the BJP had voted for us on March 30, and we expect they will vote for JMM candidate this time too," Soren said.

He said the JMM’s stand was the same ever since it had nominated Kumar before the countermanded elections and re-nominated him after the new date was announced by the Election Commission.

In its letter, the JMM requested Gadkari to "continue his positive approach" as he has been doing since the formation of the BJP/JMM/Ajsu/JDU coalition government in September, 2010.

Congress candidate Pradeep Kumar Balmachu is the third candidate for the two seats going for polls afresh.

There are no Independent candidates this time.