Rajneeti mein murde gaade nahi jate. This famous Prakash Jha dialogue had previously greeted those who called up Supriyo Bhattacharya of the JMM. He may have changed his caller tune, but it remains ironically apt in the current situation.
The Congress-led Centre is moving to dissolve the Jharkhand Assembly and when asked about the beating JMM has received from that party, Bhattacharya only said, “Politics mein koi cheating nahi hoti.”
Nonetheless, he clearly said the JMM will not forge an alliance with the Congress in future, indicating that the JMM’s relation with the Congress had reached it nadir.
“We will not tie up with the Congress for either the Assembly polls or the lok Sabha elections. Now, when the recommendation for dissolving the Assembly has been made, we demand polls as early as possible. It should be held before monsoon,” said the spokesperson of Shibu Soren’s party.
The JMM had been assured by several Congress leaders that they would ensure the State is not placed under the President’s Rule, once the former parted ways with the BJP.
JMM leaders are frustrated not only with the Congress, but also voiced their anger against the JMM ‘high command’. “Now someone has made them (Shibu Soren and Hemant) realise their actual price. Won’t they face the heat now, along with the heatwave (from going out in scorching sun to seek votes)IJ” asked a senior JMM legislator sarcastically.
He added, “The snub the father-son duo has received from the Congress has shaken our confidence in the party leadership. Most legislators have declined to accept their diktat. It is not a good sign when a battle like this is ahead. The situation has worsened in the party.”
JMM insiders said the decision to topple the BJP-led Government was not unanimous; neither was it based on any logic. This is why the party did not join others in the chorus for fresh elections when the Congress backtracked.
“They wanted to prove their decision right at any cost and that led to them toeing the Congress’ line till the last moment. In the end, maya mili na Ram,” quipped another JMM leader.
Those who were backing the decision previously switched off their phones on Friday evening, as news of the Centre’s move spread.
The Congress, on the other hand, is feigning innocence. “It is a very good decision and the party wanted this. Our poll preparation is on and we are ready for the election, whenever it takes place,” said ClP leader Rajendra Prasad Singh.
On the other hand, it was news for his partymen. “I am surprised with the decision and most MlAs would have been as well. It could be normal for those leaders who care for their personal losses and gains more, but not us. I was aware about efforts for Government formation and this happened in between,” said Sisai legislator of the Congress, Geetashree Oraon.
Daltonganj MlA KN Tripathi was also not unaware about the recommendation but gave logic behind the Central leadership’s sudden take. “A stable Government in the State has eluded it so far. Fresh mandate in these circumstances is probably a better option,” he said.