No timeframe, but early Govt exit inevitable, feel Cong leaders

No timeframe, but early Govt exit inevitable, feel Cong leaders

July and August would be crucial in this respect

Vijay Deo Jha RANCHI Monday, June 9, 2008

Officially the Congress in Jharkhand may appear to be in a "mood of war" against the State Government. It may not have fixed any deadline regarding the withdrawal of support, as yet, but three different opinions collide within the top rung of leadership on the issue. For Ajay Maken, in-charge, State Congress, there exists no timeframe, but the exit of the Government is inevitable. But contrary to it, Mabelo Rebelo, Rajya Sabha member from Jharkhand, said the party was not in a hurry to withdraw support from the Government. While another section of leaders hinted the party was to take a firm and final decision, read withdrawal of support, within two months. At a time when the party claimed having taken the common man in its stride during its agitation against the Government in Hazaribagh recently, and hopes to repeat the same in Dumka on June 9, three conflicting versions have, however, created confusion among the party workers. In a damage controlling exercise, the State Congress distanced itself from Rebelo and termed the statement having no official sanction. But sources hinted the party held a special meeting to assess the impact of the statement-- attended by Maken who reportedly asked her to retract her statement. Rebelo too denied having made any statement of this sort, yet the damage was done. Accordingly to party sources, Maken has reportedly advised the party leaders to hold manu vrata (observance of silence) till agitation. But Rebelo has many takers in the party. A senior party leader said the situation was not optimum for the party to take a decision in haste. The party would not be able to touch double figure if Assembly elections were held at this point of time. Reports coming from different constituencies of the State back this apprehension since barring four present MLAs, including Alamgir Alam, Sukhdeo Bhagat, the chances of others to make a comeback are dismally remote. Reports coming from Congress office indicate that the party would like a change of guard both on the organisational and State level including an important constitutional functionary of the State. Party sources hinted the months of July and August would be crucial in this respect. And if not, November would be the deadline where the State Congress would resort to mass resignation of office-bearers and MLAs of the party to exert pressure upon the high command.