JMM to support CPI candidate in Simaria bypoll

Ranchi, Jan 16 (UNI) The CPI today received a shot in the arm with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha extending its support to the Left party candidate in the February four by-election to Simaria Assembly in Jharkhand.

The Congress, a key constituent of the UPA, was yet to make the party position known in this regard as two other allies--CPI (M) and Rashtriya Janata Dal have already expressed solidarity with the CPI in the polls.

Meanwhile, the BJP today announced the name of Mr Ujjal Kumar as their candidate for the bypoll. Mr Kumar is the son of late Upendra Nath Das whose death necessitated the last polls.

''To keep communal forces at bay, the JMM has decided to support CPI candidate Ramchandra Ram,'' a party release said here.

Urging UPA partners to maintain unity the JMM said, it was the need of the hour to frustrate the design of communal forces.

Mr Ramchandra Ram had filed his nomination papers on January 14 as CPI candidate.

Meanwhile, Congress was understood to have preferred its own candidate for the bypoll and a team of senior party leaders would soon visit the area before making any announcement.

However, others in the fray included Mr Jagannath Singh Bhokta as Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Democratic) candidate whereas the opposition BJP said the party nominee would be chosen by the high command though the names of Mr Das' son and wife were doing the rounds for the moment.

UNI AM-PRS KK SS1702