Differences only on 3 seats: INDIA bloc leaders in state

Ranchi: Amid reports of a row within the INDIA bloc over seat-sharing, alliance partners JMM, Congress, RJD and CPI-ML addressed a joint press conference on Saturday to display a united face but admitted that there are disagreements which are now limited to only three assembly seats.State Congress president Keshav Kamlesh Mahto claimed that his party and RJD fielded candidates from Bishrampur and Chattarpur assembly seats but talks were underway at the highest levels to resolve the issue. However, given that the last date for withdrawal of candidates has passed, efforts to consolidate votes in favour of one candidate are likely to turn futile.Answering a question on how the two parties would send a message of unity to the voters of the two seats even if there is an agreement, Mahto said, “We will hold a joint media briefing and also campaign for the party which gets the seats under the agreement.”Asked about the dissent within Congress, Kamlesh said it happened because there are tens of claimants over each seat and when one person is selected, disappointment is sure for those who were not selected. He added that everyone, however, works in unison to ensure the party’s win.JMM general secretary Vinod Pandey said his party and CPI-ML would have a friendly fight in the Rajdhanwar seat. He admitted that there was no chance of either candidate compromising for the other. “However, Congress and RJD are talking over two seats. The alliance will soon make it clear who would fight from where,” he said.When about the talks, RJD’s state vice-president Anita Yadav said she was not aware of such a development between her party and Congress but said at present, her party was fighting on six seats, including Bishrampur and Chattarpur.“RJD is fighting from only six seats after staking claim on 22. We sacrificed because we want harmony in the alliance. A difference on three seats does not mean there is disunity within the INDIA bloc,” she said.CPI-ML Subhendu Sen claimed that it is not natural to have perfection in any political alliance, adding that the INDIA bloc has shown positive results, so far, including the last Lok Sabha election.

Select The Times of India as your preferred source on Google Search.

Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays, public holidays, and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.