Kolebira: After the announcement of the bypoll by the Election Commission of India for the Kolibera Assembly by-polls, the political parties in Jharkhand have become very active in finalising heir candidates.
The seat fell vacant after the Jharkhand Party’s MLA Enos Ekka was convicted in a murder case of a para teacher with life imprisonment on July 31 this year. Subsequently, his membership was suspended by the assembly speaker.
Jharkhand Party’s leader and former MLA from Kolebira Enos Ekka announced to field his wife Menon Ekka.
Enos was a minister in three governments between 2005-2008 under Arjun Munda, Madhu Koda, and Shibu Soren governments.
Kolebira (ST) is a reserved seat in Jharkhand where by-polls will be held on December 20.
Arithmetic of Kolebira assembly:
Enos Ekka has won this seat since 2005. He defeated Thiodor Kido of Congress. In 2009, Ekka defeated BJP”s Mahendra Bhagat. In 2014, Enos defeated BJP’s Manoj Nagesiya.
The previous by-polls result in the state
Prior to this, Jharkhand has witnessed six by-polls and this will be the seventh seat going for the bye-election. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has managed to win Littipara, Silli, and Gomiya, whereas Congress managed to win in Panki and Lohardaga and the ruling BJP won Godda.
Jharkhand Party’ fate at stake
Lone MLA of Jharkhand Party, Enos Ekka who is facing life imprisonment, it is very crucial for his party to win the seat. Opposition parties are finding it difficult to accept his wife as the united candidate. Jharkhand Vikas Morcha’s Babulal Marandi is trying to build a wider consensus among the opposition over Meenon Ekak’s name as the united candidate.
The Grand Alliance of Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Left Parties are trying to build consensus for a united opposition candidate against the BJP.
However, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has announced to extend its support to Menon Ekka. JMM chief Shibu Soren after meeting Menon Ekka has given his blessings to Menon Ekka and wished her victory in the upcoming by-polls.
Soren said, “JMM will not field its candidate from the Kolibera seat and will support Ekka candidature.”
He also said that he would like to urge other opposition parties to extend their support and further added that he will hold talks with them in this regard.
BJP is yet to finalise its candidate and keeping a watch on the political development. The last date of nomination is December 3. Scrutiny of nomination is scheduled on November 4 and the last date of nomination withdrawal is December 6.
No other parties have announced any candidate yet but it is likely that in coming days as the nomination dates come closer, political parties will field their candidate.
