Soren's 'CM wish' may upset Koda's applecart

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi July 29, 2008



The affairs of state in Jharkhand is likely to take turn as JMM chief Shibu Soren has hinted at his wish to return to State politics. It may end the game of speculation of the former either going to be the Chief Minister of Jharkhand replacing Madhu Koda or would like to take charge as Union Coal Minister.



While talking to mediapersons Soren clued in that he had a discussion on certain issues, including portfolios and other, meaning post of CM for himself, and the same would be settled within one or two weeks once Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returns from his foreign trip. However, Soren spoke a close-guarded language and did not want to reveal more about it by saying that any revelation at this stage might backfire.



Hemlal Murmu, who accompanied Soren during the discourse of the latter, said that JMM was ready to accept the charge of Jharkhand, provided the UPA high command gave a nod to it. Later, Murmu also made a pin-pointed hint towards a possible U-turn in the State politics. Soren is reported to be under pressure to move to the state politics from the faction led by Murmu, who on several occasions has openly stated wish to see Soren as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. This is the only way out through which Murmu can manage to be a State or Union Minister since the UPA has made it clear not to induct two tribal ministers at the same time.



JMM sources did not rule out of the possibility of the change of guard in the State or in a least case, there might be certain induction in the State Cabinet. Notwithstanding both the possibilities are fraught with certain level of suspicion and the political chemistry of the State also does not support this. The issue to be or not to be CM is in the state of fluidity but the internal bickering in the party has taken a solid form. Hoping for their chances to come if Soren becomes the CM by some stretch of imagination, a section of JMM MLAs is reported to have started to mount pressure on the party to give them ministerial berths replacing those who already have enjoyed ministry.



It is not for the third time when the party has come under an invisible rift. A section led by Deputy CM Sudhir Mahto is not in the mood to strike a deal that could make him a political lightweight. The insiders said that among the charters of demand that Soren had prepared included the post of the deputy CM for his son Hemant Soren, a move scuttled by Mahto. Soren wanted to move to the Central politics while firmly perching his son in the State politics and at whelm of affairs.



Soren is reported to be still working on this option with a different political offer to Mahto, the post of Assembly Speaker.But top sources in the Congress and RJD do not find any merit in the new revelation of Soren.



A source in the Congress revealed that Koda gained acceptance among the top leaders of the Congress after his performance as a political spin-doctor and a successful manager during the confidence motion crisis of the UPA.