Ajsu-P fields incumbent cabinet minister for Giridih seat

Ranchi: All Jharkhand Students’ Union Party (Ajsu-P) on Monday announced the incumbent water resources minister and sitting Ramgarh MLA Chandra Prakash Choudhary as its candidate for Giridih parliamentary constituency, the lone seat it is contesting from. As part of its seat-sharing alliance with BJP, Ajsu-P will fight for one seat while the saffron party will field its candidates in 13 remaining constituencies.

Ajsu-P chief Sudesh Mahto , who chaired Monday’s parliamentary committee meeting, announced, “We have decided to field our party veteran C P Choudhary from Giridih constituency. We are confident of securing the seat in the Lok Sabha election and continue to raise pertinent issues concerning Jharkhand in Parliament.” Choudhary has won the seat consecutively since 2009.

Mahto added that while Ajsu-P and BJP will jointly release the NDA’s manifesto soon, both the parties will release separate dossiers of their poll promises.

“Senior leaders Raj Kishore Mahto and U C Mehta will lead a team to prepare constituency specific manifesto,” Mahto said, adding that the NDA will kick off joint campaigns for the election.

Choudhary has been campaigning in Giridih constituency for the last few days. On Sunday, he held a gathering at Baniadih in Giridih. He said, “With party exhibiting confidence on me, I will try my best not just to ensure victory on this seat but also amply the voices of the people of my constituency to the national stage.” Choudhary was present during the announcement of his candidature at Ajsu-P’s headquarters near Shahjanand Chowk here.

Giridih parliamentary seat comprise six assembly constituencies, including Giridih, Tundi, Dumri, Gomia, Bermo and Baghmara. Of these, BJP-Ajsu combine has its MLAs on four seats while JMM has two in its kitty.

“The Ajsu-BJP alliance has a strong hold over Giridh seat, but JMM, too, holds a considerable sway among voters here. Although it will depend on JMM fields from this constituency but it will be a tough fight for both the camps,” remarked a senior Ajsu-P leader, unwilling to be named.