Central rule set to haunt State again

Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Governor MOH Farook on Monday sent an interim report to the Centre stating that no political party or combine seems to be in the position to form Government after the resignation of Chief Minister Shibu Soren.

Specter of President’s Rule in Jharkhand is looming large as sources said that a meeting of the Union Cabinet is likely to be held on Tuesday over Jharkhand for the recommendation.

In New Delhi, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram at a Press conference told the mediapersons that the Centre has received the Governor’s report on Jharkhand crisis.

An official of Governor House said, “Farook has sent the report after he met the leaders of the BJP, Congress and JVM separately in the afternoon. None claimed majority to form Government. He has stated the fact very plainly.”

As the Raj Bhavan became the centre stage, it witnessed frequent visit of different party MLAs and leaders-seeking time, seeking President’s Rule. While a BJP delegation led by State BJP president Raghuwar Das met the Governor twice in the afternoon and requested another appointment on Tuesday to make its stand clear.

Party leaders claimed that they need time to consult MLAs and senior leaders to discuss the probability of the Government formation. Request was turned down, sources in the party said.

“We can be in the position to say anything about the move of the BJP only after we consult central leadership; our MLAs and leaders,” Das said to the media at Governor House.

BJP leaders huddled in a close door meeting at the party headquarter in the evening. Majority of MLAs were in the favour of going with the JMM to form Government. “Though, central BJP leadership is against any further alliance with the JMM we have apprised-off the central leadership the sentiment of the MLAs. We had sought time from the Governor on Tuesday which was turned down,” a senior BJP leader said.

On being asked whether the JMM is a close chapter for the BJP, he echoed the sentiment of the party MLAs. “JMM is still our ally…we should form Government with the JMM… the BJP leadership will be convinced in this regard but it will be time taking process.”

Congress leaders also refused having enough number to form Government in their meeting with the Governor and assured to come back to Raj Bhavan to claim the Government if they garner enough support.

“We have clearly told Governor that we do not have magic number to form the Government. We will approach the Governor only when we are satisfied on the number count,” leader of the Congress legislative body leader Rajindar Singh said. Stating that the party needed to talk to its alliance partner-Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) - he accepted that it is tough to form a Government without the support of the JMM. But he refused to disclose whether his party has been negotiating with the JMM to form Government.

JVM chief Babulal Marandi after visiting Governor demanded imposition of President’s Rule. “We wish JVM-Congress Government. But we do not want any bargaining and horse trading. Currently no party is in the position to form the Government. We demand President’s Rule,” he said.

Unhappy days are again in the BJP sorely divided over whether to form the Government or not. Around 16 party MLAs supporting the claim of Arjun Munda have opened a battle front against Raghuwar Das terming him instrumental in pressurising central leadership not to form the Government with the JMM.

Party discipline could not deter them to hold a separate meeting at the residence of BJP MLA Gurucharan Nayak on Sunday; dropped missive to the BJP national president Nitin Gadkari to allow BJP-JMM Government.