"We are optimistic that JVM will change its stand, and allow all its eleven MLAs to vote for me," Congress candidate and PCC president Pradeep Kumar Balmachu told PTI here today.
However, JVM spokesman Saroj Kumar said, "There is no change in our party's stand. Our MLAs are abstaining from tomorrow's elections".
On Apr 23 JVM president and former chief minister Babulal Marandi had said his MLAs would stay away from voting as the Congress had rejected all its alternatives to field a joint opposition candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections.
Besides the Congress candidate, the BJP has fielded S S Ahluwalia while Sanjeev Kumar is contesting as JMM candidate for the two seats going for polls tomorrow.
The Election Commission has scheduled fresh elections after it cancelled the previous polls following allegations of horse trading by certain candidates then.
The CBI is enquiring into the allegations. PTI PVR NIK
ALM