Cong wary of BJP-JMM ties after fall of Govt

Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi | Saturday, May 29, 2010

They are still honourable ministers in the coalition Government of Chief Minister Shibu Soren; continue to enjoy perks privileges even after they tendered resignations a few days back. Their resignation has not been accepted so far.

BJP’s Raghuwar Das, Barkuwar Gagrai, Nilkanth Singh Munda, Vaidyanath Ram and JD(U) Sudha Chaudhary, constitutionally, are still Ministers despite their parties withdrew support to the Soren Government.

It might have little news value but gives thick political indications that the JMM has still not severed its relation with the BJP. “I will not comment on the political aspects. You are free to draw your conclusion. But their resignations are still pending with the Chief Minister.” a senior official of the CMO told The Pioneer.

Although the BJP and the JD(U) have announced to oppose the Soren Government during the floor test but Ministers’ resignation letters on hold; has made the Congress wary about probable realignment of the JMM and the BJP after or before floor test on May 31.

Working quietly behind uncertain political babble, Congress’ spin doctors are in close door negotiation to stitch numbers behind to stake claim to form next government.

Party can approach Governor MOH Farook to form the Government after the fall of the Shibu Soren Government, claiming the second largest coalition partner-JVM-Congress with 25 MLAs on its side.

Sources in the Congress close to The Pioneer said that the party is mulling to stake claim to form Government to stop any chance of the JMM-BJP realignment after Soren fails to win the trust vote on May 31 or resign before that.

Even after the BJP withdrew its support to the coalition Government led by Chief Minister Shibu Soren, the Congress has not ruled out the possibility of a fresh JMM-BJP realignment.

“They are strange partners without any divorce. They can unite compelled by political circumstances even after BJP opposes Soren during the floor testing. The JMM might offer its support to the BJP to form the Government. But then, we will stake claim to form next Government as second largest alliance partner to frustrate them,” a senior Congress leader said.

Claiming a Government without the JMM was possible, he suggested a rainbow coalition consisting of the JVM (11 MLAs), the Congress (14MLAs) the RJD (5MLAs) the AJSU (5 MLAs) and seven independent MLAs.

“That makes a comfortable majority,” he said and claimed, “JVM chief Babulal Marandi will finally agree to this.”

In the past couple of days AJSU chief and Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Kumar Mahto grabbed the centre stage of political parley with the BJP and the JMM to bring to bring the BJP-JMM on the same platform to avert the fall of the Government.

AJSU shaking hands with the UPA appears to have a dubious distinction owing to its natural affiliation with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).