With leaders of various political parties making a beeline to join BJP and opposition parties in complete doldrums, BJP leaders’ claim that large number leaders from different opposition camp joining BJP can become a ‘problem of plenty’.
On Sunday, at the State BJP headquarter five leaders and social worker along with their supporters took the membership of BJP at three separate functions.
Among the five leaders who joined BJP, Pradeep Prasad a.k.a Pradeep Sahu is among the very prominent faces. Sahu joined the Saffron camp as renowned social worker from Hazaribag region, but sources said that Pradeep reached BJP after serving at Congress and contesting Hazaribag Assembly seat as Independent candidate.
Pradeep, in last Assembly election (2014) had contested as Independent candidate from Hazaribag and had secured 63,000 votes.
The Congress in 2019 Lok Sabha election tried to utilize the popularity of Prasad by inducting him in party folds and he was considered as one of the strong contender of party ticket against BJP’s Jayant Sinha.
However, the Congress party relied on old war horse giving Hazaribag seat to Gopal Prasad Sahu. Gopal Sahu who comes from old Congress family with his elder brother Shiv Prasad Sahu representing Ranchi Lok Sabha seat twice was backed by Congress leadership in Delhi. However, in Lok Sabha election Gopal Sahu’s security was fortified.
A BJP leader requesting anonymity said, “With induction of Pradeep Sahu in BJP, he can pose a threat to BJP sitting MLA from Hazaribag Manish Jaiswal. Pradeep along with Jaiswal can become one of the strong contenders from Hazaribag.”
The popularity Pradeep enjoys among his supporters was gauged from the fact his joining was held at Harmu Maidan in presence of BJP State unit president Laxman Gilua, State Urban Development Minister CP Singh, Rajya Sabha member Samir Oraon, BJP state general secretary Deepak Prakash and Hazaribag MLA Manish Jaiswal. Sources said that in the joining of Pradeep his supporters reached BJP office in more than fifty vehicles expressing solidarity to their leader.
However, State BJP leader claim that there is no problem of plenty. State BJP unit president Laxman Gilua said, “The leaders who joined BJP today are influenced with the work carried out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The leaders have joined BJP without any terms and conditions.” Gilua said that after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 (A) of Constitution which granted special status to Kashmir, there are many more leaders in pipeline who are set to join BJP.
Apart from Pradeep Sahu joining the BJP, JMM former vice president Rajesh Singh, AJSU party vice president (Mahanagar) Kundan Singh and State Congress leader Biku Singh too joined the BJP.
Gilua said, “The joining of new leaders in BJP fold will help the party in achieving the target of 65 plus in Assembly election.” He said
“Based on last Lok Sabha election results, the BJP is leading in 63 Assembly segments, if alliance partner (AJSU party) Giridih is considered that the NDA is leading in 67 Assembly segments.”
However, the BJP State president asked the party workers to work tirelessly in achieving the target of 65 plus in Assembly elections.
