BJP refuses to withdraw Jharkhand candidate from RS poll

Ruling BJP today rejected the plea of its state coalition ally Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) to it to withdraw its candidate SS Ahluwalia for Rajya Sabha poll even as the last date of withdrawal of nominations ended.

"Our candidate is very much in the fray and we will ensure his win," BJP’s state unit secretary Pradip Kumar Sinha told PTI here.

BJP persisted with its candidate a day after JMM leader and Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren had written a letter to BJP President Nitin Gadkari and urged him to withdraw Ahluwalia from the race and instead support JMM candidate Sanjeev Kumar.

Besides, Ahluwalia and Kumar, Congress’ Pradeep Kumar Balmachu is in the fray for the two Rajya Sabha seats going to polls on May 3.

Unlike in the countermanded March 30 RS polls, there are no Independent candidates this time.