Rift within the State unit of Congress party has widened with two fighting groups camping in Delhi with their demands. Senior Congress leaders including former State Congress president Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu, former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay and former party MP from Dhanbad, Dadai Dubey today met State Congress in-charge RPN Singh demanding the removal of State Congress president Ajoy Kumar from his post.
The Congress delegation claimed that under the leadership of Ajoy Kumar, the party has weakened. The Congress delegation also sought appointment of any local leader, preferably Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu as new State president. Sahay told the Congress high command that there is state of confusion among State Congress leadership, as the leaders have no information, who is looking after the affairs of party in the State.
Sahay said that in the larger interest of party, the Congress high command should appoint any local leader as president as Assembly election is scheduled in the year end. After the party suffered humiliating defeat in State in Lok Sabha election, the State Congress is facing leadership crisis. After Lok Sabha election, party’s State president Ajoy Kumar resigned from his post but he was asked to continue as State president till regular appointment was made.
The infighting within the State Congress had widened after Lok Sabha election results and subsequent resignation of Kumar. At least 10 district presidents of the party have jointly requested Kumar to withdraw his resignation.
However, former Jharkhand Congress Pradesh Committee (JPCC) president Pradeep Balmuchu has openly held Ajoy Kumar responsible for the party’s debacle in the general elections. Balmuchu, one of the influential tribal leaders in State Congress said, part time president cannot run the party affairs in State like Jharkhand which is going on polls in next four months.
Meanwhile, State Congress spokesperson Lal Kishore Nath Shahdeo said, “The Party high command in larger interest of party should appoint a regular president and start preparations for Assembly election. Delay in appointment of Congress president will affect the morale of Congress workers in State.”
The delegation which also comprises Congress legislature parry leader and Pakur MLA Alamgir Alalm also discussed alliance with JMM and other regional parties in Assembly election.
The JMM has already indicated of playing big brother role in the Assembly election.
