Jharkhand BJP gearing up for polls

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi August 02, 2008

In view of Parliamentary elections in Jharkhand the State BJP held a three-day training camp for party workers at Madhuban. The meeting was attended by State BJP in-charge and national vice president of the party Karuna Shukla, senior party leader Arjun Munda and State BJP president Pashupati Nath Singh.

On the sidelines of the party programme, Munda demanded President's rule in the State. While criticizing Shibu Soren, the state Congress and other UPA allies of the State, Munda said the State was in a vortex of political uncertainty that required President's rule in the State. "The UPA should seek a fresh mandate", he said.

The controversy over the leadership in the State BJP refuses to die down. While again disputing the claim of leader of the Opposition Arjun Munda being a candidate for State Chief Minister's post Shukla said the issue of the leadership would be decided by the legislative assembly of the party after the Assembly elections.

However, Munda declined having any information about this but party sources said the statement had a far-reaching political impact and might make a dent on the claims of Munda. The Munda camp, which was elated over the recent clarification of its national vice president Yashwant Sinha who categorically that he was the contender for the post of CM of Jharkhand, is seems to be upset over the remarks of Shukla.

However, Munda being the strongest tribal face in the party has a tough time to maneuver the situation in his own favour since his name too was projected for the a possible Lok Sabha election, a fact not denied by the Munda camp.