A third front called the Jharkhand Loktantrik Morcha (Jharkhand Democratic Front) was formed in the state a day after declaration of poll results in five states.

Five sitting MLAs, including two from the BJP ally Ajsu (All Jharkhand Students Union) and two former BJP leaders who are now Independent MLAs — Saryu Roy (representing Jamshedpur East constituency) and Amit Kumar Yadav (Barkatha constituency), have joined hands with NCP leader and Independent MLA Kamlesh Singh from Hussainabad constituency in the third front.

Ajsu members are Silli MLA Sudesh Mahato and Gomia MLA Lambodar Mahato.

Saryu Roy defeated erstwhile chief minister Raghubar Das (currently one of BJP national vice-president).

“We will be meeting Speaker Rabindra Mahato on Monday and demand an arrangement of sitting together in the Assembly and be given adequate time to raise people centric issues in the Assembly. We have not taken any decision on contesting the election at the moment,” said Sudesh Mahato, who will be leading the front while Amit Kumar Yadav will be the chief whip.

Political observers in Ranchi read it as a ploy to exert pressure on the JMM-led UPA government to meet their demands.

“With five MLAs coming together will put them in a better bargaining position not only to get their voices heard but also play an important role in the upcoming election to the Rajya Sabha.

Everyone knows that both Sudesh Mahato (former deputy chief minister) and former cabinet minister Saryu Roy are suave politicians,” said a political analyst associated with a leading vernacular in Ranchi.

The political analyst also hinted that there are chances of the BJP propping up Raghubar Das’ name as it’s Rajya Sabha candidate from Jharkhand. But with both Saryu and Sudesh together, who do not have good relation with Das, can spoil the BJP’s gameplan.

Sudesh speaking to the media in Ranchi said that the five members would coordinate and plan on issues to be raised in the Assembly.

“Individually we get one or two minutes to put our question, now as a single entity we might get more time to put forth our issues,” said Saryu.