The rebels are posing formidable challenges for both the BJP and the ruling JMM as Jharkhand prepares for the Assembly polls. Anticipating division of votes in the impending elections, the leaders of both parties are trying to woo the dissidents who have rebelled after being denied tickets. Both the BJP and the JMM want their rebels to either withdraw their nominations as Independents or pledge support for their respective parties' official candidates.
According to sources, BJP Jharkhand in-charge and Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with co-in-charge and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, are personally approaching the party rebels to assuage their concerns and to get them to withdraw their nominations as Independents. The party's strategists admit that these rebels pose a "significant threat" to the BJP's poll prospects in the state. The BJP is facing a lot of heat in the Ranchi seat, where the maximum number of rebel candidates have filed nomination papers as Independents.
Local leaders like Sandeep Verma, Munchun Rai and Uttam Yadav, who till recently were talking about strengthening the party, are giving sleepless nights to BJP candidate C.P. Singh by entering the poll contest as Independents against him.
According to sources, Mr Singh, who is the sitting MLA, also believes that if the rebels contest the elections, the party’s vote share will likely get split. He said that their anger is justified, but its solution can be found only by discussing the issues withi.