Face-off worsens

Dumka, Jan. 9: There is no love lost between BJP leader Nishikant Dubey and the JMM after the ruling allies have parted ways.

While the Dumka unit of the JMM organised a rally against Dubey yesterday evening, the Godda MP has raised a demand for CBI probe into the "mysterious" death of Durga Soren in 2009.

Durga, the eldest son of JMM supremo Shibu Soren, died at home just after the Lok Sabha elections in May 2009.

"Durga Soren was a healthy man at the time of his death at his family residence in Bokaro. He was found dead in his bedroom under mysterious circumstances which must be probed by a competent investigating agency," Dubey told The Telegraph over phone from New Delhi.

He added he had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a couple of days ago to order CBI investigation into the incident.

In a separate letter to the Prime Minister, Dubey has also sought a CBI probe against Hemant Soren and other JMM leaders for allegedly violating tenancy laws.

"The JMM leadership has been against any amendment in the Chotanagpur Tenancy and Santhal Pargana Tenancy acts. But they have themselves violated the acts to grab non-transferrable land. This must be probed by an agency like the CBI," Dubey added.

The MP's strident criticism of the BJP-led coalition is also believed to have prompted the JMM to withdraw support to the government.

"Nishikant Dubey never respected coalition ethics and remained vocal against the JMM leadership including party chief Shibu Soren and Hemant Soren. It was an important reason behind our party's decision to withdraw support to the Arjun Munda government," Ajay Kumar Jha, alias Mikki, a senior JMM functionary and close aide of Hemant, told The Telegraph.

Dubey was among few BJP leaders who were vocal against the alliance with the JMM. One of the demands placed by Hemant before Munda last month was a written apology by Dubey for his anti-JMM statements.

"The BJP has to fight against the JMM in Santhal Pargana in the next Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. I have made it a point to wipe out the JMM from Santhal Pargana," Dubey had told reporters here recently.

A JMM insider said they would under no circumstances allow any other party to strengthen its base in its traditional stronghold of Santhal Pargana.

"It was only after Dubey's statement to wipe out the JMM from Santhal Pargana that Hemant was more serious about the party's stand on power-sharing which otherwise could have been amicably settled," he added.

Matches

MORE TOP STORIES TODAY

Live: India elect to field in Cardiff

Live: India elect to field in Cardiff

Wet outfield delayed start of the second Champions Trophy semi-finals. More »

Pietersen set for return to international cricket

Pietersen set for return to international cricket

England batsman Kevin Pietersen is poised for a return to international cricket in the second T20 match against New Zealand after a long lay-off with … More »

Inspired England storm into Champions Trophy final

Inspired England storm into Champions Trophy final

Champions Trophy: Hosts thrash South Africa by seven wickets at The Oval. More »

South Africa deserve chokers tag, admits Kirsten

South Africa deserve chokers tag, admits Kirsten

South Africa's coach Gary Kirsten admitted his team deserved the tag of chokers after it crashed to a seven-wicket defeat by England in the Champions Trophy… More »

Familiarity does not breed contempt for India

Familiarity does not breed contempt for India

India and Sri Lanka face-off yet again - this time for a place in the Champions Trophy final. More »

[SPECIAL] Is history repeating itself?

[SPECIAL] Is history repeating itself?

Startling similarities connect India’s twin ODI triumphs of 1983 and 1985 with their performances in the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. More »

Tendulkar to own badminton franchise?

Tendulkar to own badminton franchise?

A prominent cricketer, said to be Sachin Tendulkar, has bought the Mumbai franchise in the million-dollar Indian Badminton League. Hyderabad-based PVP… More »

CA rejects TV influence over team pick

CA rejects TV influence over team pick

Cricket Australia has dismissed suggestions from executives at Channel Nine that the network should have a say in team selection. More »

Oz citizenship and Ashes beckon Ahmed

Oz citizenship and Ashes beckon Ahmed

Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed is on the brink of becoming an Australian citizen and being eligible to play in the Ashes. More »

Pakistan court orders interim board chief

Pakistan court orders interim board chief

A Pakistani court Wednesday ordered the government to appoint an interim head of the cricket board, after the current chairman was suspended over a legal… More »

BCCI song remains the same on DRS

BCCI song remains the same on DRS

After much speculation, the cricket board will decide on Thursday who will represent BCCI at International Cricket Council's annual conference from June… More »

Adamant Srini wants to attend ICC meeting

Adamant Srini wants to attend ICC meeting

Most senior BCCI functionaries want Srinivasan to stay away till the outcome of the internal probe against his son-in-law, M Gurunath, over his alleged… More »

Sri Lanka are a dangerous side, says Dhoni

Sri Lanka are a dangerous side, says Dhoni

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Wednesday that Sri Lanka were a dangerous side and it was not possible to focus only on their two frontline… More »

Angelo Mathews has plans for India

Angelo Mathews has plans for India

Sri Lanka and India ready themselves for semifinal. More »

India vs Sri Lanka: The road to Champions Trophy semis

How India and Sri Lanka reached the last four to set up a repeat of the 2011 World Cup final.ALSO READ: Resurgent India impress Jayawardene More »

Ahmed, Sandhu in Australia A tour of Africa

Ahmed, Sandhu in Australia A tour of Africa

Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed was Wednesday named on the Australia A squad for a tour of Africa beginning next month, despite also being in contention… More »

Resurgent India impress Jayawardene

Resurgent India impress Jayawardene

Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene is under no illusions about the scale of the task confronting his side when they face India in a Champions Trophy semi-… More »

The secret behind Dhoni's massive sixes

The secret behind Dhoni's massive sixes

Watching MS Dhoni hit sixes is a visual delight that touches a chord at a primeval level. It's instinctive, it's visceral. More »

Lankans ready for another tough match

Lankans ready for another tough match

Sri Lanka barged into the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a 20-run victory over holders Australia. More »

Whatmore eyes WC after Pak flop

Whatmore eyes WC after Pak flop

The former Australian batsman turned coach rejected the suggestion his players lacked in effort. More »

Cummins set for return to action

Cummins set for return to action

Rising Australia fast bowling hope Pat Cummins is to make an unusual return to action from injury by playing for the Northern Ireland Cricket Academy on… More »

Hughes and Wade join Aus A side

Hughes and Wade join Aus A side

Australia said on Tuesday that captain Michael Clarke will stay in London as he recovers from a back problem. More »

Don't write off Aussies, says Inverarity

Don't write off Aussies, says Inverarity

Australia's chairman of selectors has told England now is not the time to dismiss his side's chances of regaining the Ashes, despite the controversy currently… More »

I am 'happy to be alive': Harbhajan

I am 'happy to be alive': Harbhajan

Harbhajan Singh, who was amongst the many pilgrims and tourists stranded in the upper reaches of Uttarakhand due to the landslides and heavy rains, on… More »