JD(U) to fight Palamu bypoll: Mahto

Ranchi, Feb 15 (UNI) The JD(U) in Jharkhand today reiterated its claim on the Palamu parliamentry seat, saying that the BJP, another NDA ally, should now concentrate on strengthening the coalition.

Talking to UNI, state JD(U) President Jaleshwar Mahto said the party would field its candidate for Palamu bypoll, adding party's national President Sharad Yadav along with the central leadership had been intimated with the party's stand in Jharkhand.

Mr Mahto said BJP had faced the result of bypolls and the party should now concentrate on strengthening the platform, adding the JD(U) had strong base in Palamu and the area was adjoined with Bihar where his party could get the returns of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's works.

Mr Mahto said proposal of fielding the candidate would be approved in the steering committee meeting, slated to be held on February 17 at the residence of party MLA Radhakrishna Kishore.

He further said the party MLAs would also keep the matter Mr Kumar and Mr Yadav in Delhi.

Mr Mahto said earlier BJP dominated Jharkhand's Lok Sabha seats but it was now the JD(U)'s turn to stake claim on the parliamentry seats.

Replying to a query, Mr Mahto said they were ready for a friendly contest if the BJP fields its candidate in for Palamu by-poll.

The two parties, that stood by each other since 2000, stated that they would not mind friendly contest if situation arose.

The BJP has already expressed its desire to field its candidate while the JD (U) also did not show any inclination to be seen only as a supporting ally in the battle of ballots.

Jharkhand BJP president Pashupati Nath Singh on the occasion of his coronation recently, urged the party workers to prepare for the elections, adding that the party would fight the bypoll tooth and nail.

The bypoll, the date of which is yet to be fixed, is necessitated as Mr Manoj Kumar (RJD) had lost his membership from the Lok Sabha over cash-for-query scam.

UNI