After an inordinate delay in giving final shape to the Hemant Soren Cabinet, coalition partner Congress is said to have finally named senior leader and Gandey MlA Sarfaraz Ahmed for the third berth.
The Congress has three more seats to fill. Party sources confirmed to The Pioneer that the second and final expansion of the Cabinet would come in a couple of days. “Sarfaraz Ahmed will get the third seat. The high command has more or less finalised names of Chandrashekhar Dubey (Bisrampur) and Banna Gupta (West Jamshedpur),” said one of the party top brass.
The Congress’ stand to do away with tainted faces has held up proceedings considerably. However, “the issue is settled now. Allegations against him (Ahmed) could not stand as a factor (sufficient enough to withheld his name),” added the source.
The CBI is investigating the role of several MlAs, including Ahmed, in alleged horse-trading during the Rajya Sabha elections of 2012.
Despite the “weak” case against Ahmed, the party was not confident of Mannan Mallik against the Gandey MlA. Mallik, Dhanbad legislator, is elderly and did not enjoy good relations with Congress legislature party leader and Minister in JMM-led coalition Rajendra Singh.
“The Cabinet has to have one minority face and there was no other option. Ahmed is a senior leader,” said a Congress office-bearer.
As for the remaining seats, Dubey gets a Cabinet berth because of two factors —representing the Brahmin community, which has sizeable presence in north Jharkhand and as a nominee from Palamau, one of the most backward regions, with five Assembly seats.
Congress has two MlAs from the area and both belong to the same caste. On the other hand, Banna Gupta has an upper hand over Yogendra Sao due to his clean image.
There is much urgency over filling up the Cabinet. The Government has been under constant attack from the Opposition and under pressure in the wake of a host of challenges, including the drought-like situation looming large. “It is most likely to take place by Sunday or so,” said a leader.
The Congress has already inducted Rajendra Singh and Geetashree Oraon.