Rahul sounded out Soren on FDI

It was a midnight tryst of a different kind. Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi reportedly met JMM chief Shibu Soren on Tuesday midnight during his Ranchi visit, in a bid to seek endorsement of fringe players over foreign direct investment (FDI) and coal block allotment controversy.

Soren denied having any such meeting with Congress scion, but insiders claimed that it did take place and that the JMM chief assured support to the UPA Government.

The Centre has been passing through a tumultuous phase, following stiff opposition on the issues from the NDA and an angered withdrawal of Trinamool Congress’ Mamata Banerjee. All this has stirred up prospects of an early election.

Sources said that as Rahul wished a one-to-one meeting with the JMM chief, Soren Jr — Deputy Chief Minister in the BJP-led Government Hemant — was kept out of the discourse.

Shibu Soren explained his position to Rahul over FDI and said that ideologically, his party would oppose entry of FDI in the domestic market but politically, he would continue to remain in the UPA fold.

He made it clear that the JMM would back the UPA Government if it came to a floor test. Rahul reportedly told Soren that the Congress considers JMM a “valued and trusted ally”.

When Soren spoke to The Pioneer on Sunday, he displayed a similar political demeanour, striding adroitly over the FDI issue, firmly smothering murmurs of an impending mid-term election and the ‘third front’ formation.

“I have not gone into the details of FDI so far. But ideologically, I am opposed to such a move. It will harm Indian farmers and retailers. The decision should be taken keeping the larger public interest in mind,” Soren told The Pioneer.

Replying to whether his ideological opposition over FDI would reflect his political decision when it comes to opposing the UPA Government during floor testing, he said, “I am not in the favour of pulling out of the Government. Mid-term elections are not good for the country.”

In the immediate, Soren appeared to hint, he would be happier to be in the UPA boat — despite the choppy waters and its day-to-day struggle for survival. He seemed to issue a subtle public message that he would continue his romance with the UPA at the Centre and keep flirting with the NDA in Jharkhand. They are contrary political perceptions, which Soren justifies with baffling logic and actions.

At this stage, Soren is quick to snub those who are clamouring over the prospect of a third front at the Centre, saying it’s a “pani me bulbula” (bubble) which would hardly graduate beyond political gossip and column inches. “What is the third front that collapses soon after its formation? I don’t think there is any scope for a third front. It can’t be a credible alternative.”

Most of the volleys over the coal block scam were met with a flat bat, often not with conviction but always with an alibi. Soren mostly parried comments over the probable political fallout of the ongoing investigation into the coal block allotment scam. “The probe is going on,” was all he would say.

The JMM chief served Union Coal Minister in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government till he was forced to resign in 2006. But then, Soren has always supported the PM and the UPA during crises. He even lost his job as CM of Jharkhand in 2010, when an irked BJP withdrew its support after he voted in the favour of UPA during a cut motion.

Any apprehension Soren may feel about his own political future in the wake of ongoing probe of coal blocks cannot be ruled out and the Congress is well-versed in making a good deal of it. On that Tuesday night too, Rahul seems to have convinced Soren that FDI is a good idea.