The Jharkhand Congress is speeding ahead, though the signal from the high command may have been more a yellow light, rather than a green one. Be that as it may, State Congress leaders see a clear road ahead following their return from Delhi after a high-level meeting last week.
They have assured party legislators on an alternative Government and told them to get ready for the big opportunity.
MlAs have been told that the party would participate in the Government directly; a probable alliance of the Congress (13), Jharkhand Multi Morcha (18), RJD (five) and independents (six). A majority of 42 is needed in the House of 81.
“We have been told that a Government is bound to be formed and that we should concentrate on work in our areas. Talks with the JMM have been initiated and some agreements have also been reached,” said a Congress MlA on conditions of anonymity.
It has also been finalised that the Congress will pose no objection on former Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren leading the coalition.
Indications are that the ‘proposals’ from the Congress would be put forward for discussion at the June 16 central committee meeting of the JMM, in which all party MlAs and officer bearers
will participate.
After finalisation in Jharkhand, the draft would be presented to the Congress high command to pave the way for a final call on the nitty-gritty of the new Government in Jharkhand.
State Congress president Sukhdeo Bhagat, who also participated in the meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Sushilkumar Shinde, Jairam Ramesh and others, said, “Official instruction has not come yet from Delhi but unofficially, talks are on with the JMM.”
“There are lots of issues involved. As far as conditions for us are concerned, it is pretty certain that the Congress will participate from inside and also that an agreement will be reached on lok Sabha seat-sharing,” he added.
After some initial reservations, the organisational set-up of the Congress has fallen in line, counting on benefits the party will get in entering the coalition and by remaining in Government.
“The party will be benefitted on two to three fronts. The Congress will get more time to prepare for the elections, which would not have been possible had the polls happened in, say, three months. Also the organisation would take proper shape and get a partner to
sail through,” the PCC president pointed out.
On the other hand, the JMM too has been pacified. After hectic efforts over the past three months, there seems to be agreement between the two parties. The JMM has opened unofficial channels with the Congress and is set to discuss proposals at its Sunday meeting.
“Organisational and political matters top the agenda of the meeting. We will discuss the seat-sharing formula and other matters on Sunday. Discussion is going on unofficially,” said JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya.
It is learnt that the Congress has mooted the 10:4 formula to share the 14 lok Sabha seats, but has kept it flexible to accommodate the JMM.