Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Speculation rife over Jharkhand RJD chief defecting soon to BJP camp

RANCHI: The political circles in the state was abuzz on Saturday about RJD state chief Annapaurna Devi and two ex-legislators of the party likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, giving credence to speculations of the Devi, a former minister, being fielded by the BJP from the Koderma Lok Sabha constituency.

RJD is currently engaged in finalizing seat sharing with other constituents of the proposed grand alliance against the BJP in the state. The RJD has been demanding Chatra and Palamu Lok Sabha seats. However, sources said it might have to be contended only with Palamu.

Besides Devi, speculations were also rife that two former legislators, Sanjay Singh Yadav from Hussainabad, and Janardhan Paswan from Chatra, could also join the saffron party along with Annapurna.

“As per our knowledge, Annapurna Devi is in touch with the central leadership through a very senior central leader of the party. We can expect a major development by tomorrow,” a very highly placed source in the Jharkhand BJP said.

The central elections committee on Friday night after deliberations on candidate selection put the Koderma seat on hold along with two others. Annapurna has represented Koderma assembly seat twice in the past and was a minister in the UPA government in the state.

Annapurna Devi could not be reached for her comments as her phone remained switched off throughout the day.

RJD spokesperson Satrupa Pandey, however, described the development as ‘fake’ news. “All these are rumours. Our party president is unwell and she is taking rest,” she added.

Last week, two former Lok Sabha candidates of the JVM (P), Prabhat Bhuyian from Palamu and Nilam Devi from Chatra, joined the BJP. Nilam Devi is said to be front runner for Chatra seat.