Fall in party line or face music: State BJP to MLAs

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi August 21, 2008

The Jharkhand BJP is learnt to be in a mood of fight to finish against the suspended party MLAs, including Vishnu Prasad Bhaiya MLA Jamtara and Manohar Tekriwal, MLA Godda, if the duo disobey the party whip during the confidence motion scheduled to be tabled by Chief Minister Madhu Koda on the floor of the House on August 25.

According to the well-placed sources in the party, the State BJP is also closely monitoring the move of some more MLAs of the party, which includes Tala Marandi, MLA Berio, who are learnt to be in contact with the JMM.

Meanwhile, in a latenight development, the BJP asked the Assembly Speaker to decide on the disqualification of Independent MLAs whose case has been pending with him for the last one year. The party gave 24-hour deadline to the Speaker to take a decision on the issue failing to which they will gherao the Assembly Speaker. It was decided in a meeting of the party MLAs, attended by State BJP president Pashupati Nath Singh, chief whip CP Singh and scores of party MLAs in the Assembly.

According to the sources, the BJP would finally decide its strategy on August 23 and it is expected to issue a one-line whip asking all the party MLAs follow the party whip. Meanwhile, the party started working over protecting its fold from any further poaching by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, (JMM). While talking to The Pioneer, Arjun Munda, the senior BJP leader and leader of Opposition who is in America, said the party was no more in the mood to brook any act of indiscipline behavior by any party MLA. The party would demand their disqualification if they choose to abstain during the voting or side with Soren.

Munda who accused the UPA and the Congress for creating political uncertainty in Jharkhand said the UPA leadership was promoting horse-trading in the State. "The BJP wants fresh elections in the State as both Koda and Soren are trying to garner support through unethical means," he added. While both Vishnu Prasad and Tekriwal have announced their support to Shibu Soren for the post of the Chief Minister of the State replacing Koda.

The BJP has suspended Vishnu Bhaiya and Tekriwal along with three other MLAs - Pradeep Yadav, Ravindra Roy, Kunti Singh - from party membership for defying party line. Later, they joined hand with Babulal Marandi of Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM).

Meanwhile All Jharkhand Students' Union will hold its meeting to decide its strategy. AJSU president Sudesh Mahto said the party would hold meeting within two days. "We want fresh election in the State and our strategy reflects what we want," said Mahto. Although there is less possibility of party MLA Chandra Prakash Chaudhary falling in line of the party, Chaudhary currently holds portfolio in the Koda Government.