The Congress leadership continued to be uncertain about its line of action in Jharkhand, which is currently under President’s Rule. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday held deliberations with party leaders but no consensus was arrived at in view of the complex situation prevailing in the State.
The meeting attended by Defence Minister AK Antony, who heads the committee entrusted with the job of finding new allies, Congress in-charge of Jharkhand Shakeel Ahmad and newly appointed PCC president Sukhdeo Bhagat considered the various options available to the party.
One section of the party feels that it should have an alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha to form the Government in the State. This would not only satisfy the Congress MlAs as there are still about two years left of the Assembly tenure, but the alliance would also help the party in the lok Sabha polls.
However, another section feels that going with the JMM would affect the image of the party as the Congress in the past had bitter experience of supporting tainted Madhu Koda Government in the State. Congress president Sonia Gandhi was earlier having this view earlier, but recently there has been some flexibility in approach especially since the party needs new allies for the lok Sabha polls elections.