All eyes on Jamshedpur East as once colleagues now rival Raghubar and Saryu file nomination against each other

Jamshedpur: Jamshedpur East is perhaps the most hot-seat as far as the assembly elections in Jharkhand are concerned not because Chief Minister Raghubar Das who is the five-time MLA from the constituency and is contesting for the sixth occasion from the seat but his main opponent is former Minister and his ex-cabinet colleague Saryu Rai.

Both Raghubar Das and Saryu Rai filed their nominations today which was also the last day of filing of nominations for the seats on which polls will be held in the second phase on December 7.

However, prior to filing his nominations, Saryu Rai tendered his resignation as the cabinet minister and also as the MLA of the house. Raghubar Das first held a meeting of party workers and later reached the district administration office of East Singhbhum district to file his nomination papers for Jamshedpur East constituency.

Raghubar Das walked with party workers to file nomination papers from meeting ground to the district administration office. Saryu Rai was Food and Supply Minister in Das’ Cabinet till Sunday.

On Sunday Rai announced to fight Assembly polls against the Chief Minister. He resigned from Assembly membership as Cabinet minister on Sunday.

On Monday Rai reached the district administration office to file nomination paper along with few supporters. “It is fight against fear and corruption,” said Rai before filing his nomination papers.

The Jamshedpur East seat has become a centre of attraction after Rai decided to fight against his own Chief Minister.

He is fighting as an independent candidate but he has not resigned from membership of the party. Rai was angry after BJP put his ticket on hold.

The last date of filing nominations is Monday. Das has been winning the Jamshedpur East seat since 1995. Rai on Saturday expressed unhappiness over the party for putting his ticket on hold. “I am standing with an empty bowl and seeking ticket,” said Rai in a press conference in Jamshedpur on Saturday evening.