Jharkhand’s apex trade body on Saturday decided to field its own candidates from Ranchi and Godda Assembly seats in what it called a fitting reply to the state government’s alleged apathy towards its cause.

The simmering discontent of the trading community over the lack of effective communication with the state government brimmed over at the state-level traders’ conclave convened by Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) at a city hotel where it was decided that former FJCCI president Pawan Sharma and businessman Preetam Gadia would contest from Ranchi and Godda, respectively.

“The expectations of the trading community have been shattered. So we think having our own people in the Assembly is necessary to get our voices heard,” FJCCI president Kunal Ajmani said.

Explaining the reason behind the anger and frustration of traders, Ajmani alleged that the government didn’t pay attention to their grievances and there was a yawning gap between the policies framed and their implementation.

He said the government was inviting outsiders to invest in the state at a time local businessmen were not being able to run their establishments smoothly.

“Even a recent report of Niti Aayog described Jharkhand as the least preferred state in terms of investment,” he said.

“As of now, the names of Pawanji and Preetamji came up during the conclave and those present agreed to support them.”

Former FJCCI president Sharma said he accepted the decision.

“Things have reached a point of no return. I have never been in active politics, but agreed to contest the election just to voice the grievances of the trading community. It’s not yet decided whether I’ll contest as an Independent or a candidate of some political party,” he said.

Gadia said he had been an active member of the local

BJP unit in Godda, but the government’s lackadaisical attitude towards businessmen prompted him to contest this election.

“When the elected representatives don’t look into our interests, it’s better we choose someone from among us to do the job,” former FJCCI president Anchal Kinger said after the conclave.