New Delhi:
The key candidates in the fifth phase are jailed former minister Kamlesh Singh, former minister Bhanu Pratap Sahi and Geeta Koda, wife of former chief minister Madhu Koda, who is in jail for an alleged money laundering scam.
Geeta Koda: She is the wife of former chief minister Madhu Koda, who is in jail on corruption charges. Geeta, who is contesting the election for the first time, has an additional responsibility of ensuring victory for other candidates fielded by Koda. She is contesting on Jharkhand Navnirman Morcha (JNM) ticket, a party which was formed by her husband Koda.
She has tried to create a sympathy wave terming her husband a victim of political conspiracy and showcasing his achievements to wrest the Jagannathpur (ST) seat, which Madhu Koda vacated after winning as an Independent MP from Singhbum earlier this year.
Kamlesh Singh: A former minister in Jharkhand Cabinet, Kamlesh Singh, was arrested on November 30 along with Madhu Koda on charges of holding assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. He is contesting from Hussainabad assembly constituency. He had won the last elections by a slender margin of 35 votes from the same constituency.
Bhanu Pratap Sahi: Former minister Bhanu Pratap Sahi is also a prime accused in a corruption case along with Koda and Kamlesh Singh. He has been booked under various sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. The Jharkhand assembly speaker in September had disqualified seven legislators for switching sides. Bhanu Pratap Sahi was one of them. He is seeking re-election from Bhawanathpur assembly constituency of Jharkhand.