New Delhi, April 30: The Jharkhand potboiler took a curious turn on Thursday as the BJP, egged on by an “apologetic” Shibu Soren, began a rethink on its decision to withdraw support to his government in Ranchi. Although a final decision could be taken only on Friday, the repeated cancellation of the party’s appointment with governor MOH.
Farook indicated the BJP was banking on a new arrangement to rule Jharkhand. Party insiders did not rule out a BJP leader heading the next government in the state.
This looked possible because chief minister Soren is understood to have written to BJP president Nitin Gadkari in support of the new formula. This looks tenable also because Guruji hasn’t been able to find an assembly constituency which some sitting MLA would vacate for him to seek and win a bypoll from. Even his son Hemant and daughter-in-law are unwilling to vacate their seats. Soren must become a member of the 82-member assembly by the end of June to continue as chief minister but that looks almost impossible now. And, the BJP isn’t willing to accept the young Hemant heading a new government.
The Congress, too, didn’t seem to be in a hurry to form a government. “We are not involving ourselves right now. Nobody has talked to us nor are we taking any initiative,” a top Congress leader from the state said in Ranchi. Senior Congress leader and Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay ruled out the possibility of offering the CM’s post to anyone in the state.
The BJP had withdrawn support to the Jharkhand government after Soren, the MP from Dumka, voted against the cut motion sponsored by the party in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. “Guruji should have thought much before voting against the cut motion.
As a legislator, I feel he should have been more careful,” Jharkhand Speaker C. P. Singh said.
A top Congress leader from Jharkhand denied Soren’s vote was preplanned.
He dismissed suggestions of making Soren a central minister.
In a letter to Sushma Swaraj, leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Soren said he had not been keeping well.
“ I committed a mistake ( in voting against the cut motion) because of my poor health. I want to assure you the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is wholeheartedly with the NDA and will remain so in the future too,” Soren wrote.
The BJP ignored the letter initially but the second missive and a simultaneous press conference by Hemant in Ranchi — where he too admitted to the “ mistake” publicly — has prompted the rethink. “ To err is human,” Jharkhand deputy CM and state BJP chief Raghuvir Das said.
Since Soren has attributed his surprise vote in the Lok Sabha to failing health, the BJP now has an additional reason to stress why someone in such a condition should become the CM. Still unable to digest the humiliation, the BJP central leaders maintained during the day there was no question of a rethink and they would withdraw support to Soren after their ministers reached Ranchi.
“ We have decided to withdraw support and will soon submit a letter to the governor,” senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde said. But by evening the scenario changed as top leaders went into an emergency meeting where a final decision was kept pending.
Soon after being named the new BJP president, it was Gadkari who supported the idea of forming a government with the JMM. Some party leaders hinted that the troubled Munde- Gadkari relations could be the reason why Munde went all out for withdrawing support to Soren.
Five JMM MLAs — Simon Marandi, Teklal Mahato, Nalin Soren, Champai Soren and Lobin Hembrom — upset with Soren for denying them ministerial posts, said they would rather support the UPA than accept Hemant as their leader. A Congress leader said that JVM leader Babulal Marandi, with whom they had contested the last poll, wouldn’t be dumped.
For now, a “ secular” government will become possible only if the BJP and the JMM are unable to strike a deal.
With Saiful Haque in Ranchi
WHAT NEXT?
As of now, the BJP seems set to form the next government with JMM’s support. Otherwise, a number of scenarios could arise
1 The Congress, the All Jharkhand Students Union and the RJD will back Soren as the CM. This will give Soren six more months to be elected as an MLA
2 Babulal Marandi will be the CM while Soren’s son Hemant (in picture) becomes the deputy CM. Soren may get a cabinet berth at the Centre
3 Congress will lead government with Hemant as deputy CM. Soren & Marandi will be made central ministers
4 President’s rule declared after Soren’s deadline to be elected expires. Assembly kept in suspended animation. Then, a new combination, with the requisite numbers can stake claim. Soren can become CM and hope to be elected an MLA in another six months
5 President’s rule is declared and the Jharkhand assembly is dissolved. Fresh elections are announced for the state
—Agencies