Split from JD-U will benefit BJP, feel Jharkhand leaders

BJP leaders in Jharkhand feel that the party unit in the state could derive some benefits from a split with the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) at the national level.

"Our party will remain in benefit in Jharkhand if JD-U decides to part ways with us at the national level. We cannot tolerate interference of any party in our internal issues. (Gujarat Chief Minister) Narendra Modi is our respected leader and we cannot bear unparliamentarily comment on our leader," Pradeep Sinha, Jharkhand BJP spokesperson, told IANS.

He said: "As far as Jharkhand is concerned, the BJP will benefit. In 2009 assembly polls, we gave 18 of the 81 assembly seats to JD-U, and that party only won two seats. In 2009 Lok Sabha polls, JD-U was given two seats, and it could not win even one. In the assembly polls, JD-U had fielded many BJP leaders, as they did not have the leaders to fight the polls".

Jharkhand assembly Speaker and BJP leader C.P. Singh also echoed these sentiments.

"In Jharkhand, it will be good for the party," he said, talking of a potential split with ally JD-U.

In the 2009 assembly polls, local BJP leaders in the state had opposed the alliance with the JD-U.

"JD-U is a liability for us in Jharkhand. BJP has a strong base in Jharkhand. We had to give up seats to maintain the alliance in Bihar," a senior BJP leader said.

The BJP and JD-U have been political allies even before Jharkhand state was carved out of Bihar in the year 2000. Jharkhand, currently under President's Rule, also has seen the BJP-JD-U combine in power.