Independent MlAs on Wednesday upped the ante to get ministerial berths, as the Jharkhand High Court rejected ‘absconding’ JMM legislator Nalin Soren’s petition to quash the warrant against him.
The Hemant Soren Government seeks vote of confidence in Assembly on Thursday.In more grief for the JMM, party MlA Sita Soren — who is underground — has also given no news on attending the special session to bail out her devar.Sources feel neither MlA will turn up. This will leave the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD combine with 41 in the 82-member House, though it got an invitation from the Governor after submitting a list of 43.
At least seven independent MlAs, including MCC legislator Arup Chaterjee, have extended support to Hemant.Small wonder then that independent Bandhu Tirkey, along with Chamra linda, rushed to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Singh after the court verdict and is said to have extracted assurance for a Cabinet berth. They later held a Press conference to clarify their full backing to the Government. The Minister said though Tirkey had met him, he had left it to the discretion of the JMM-Congress-RJD to offer him a ministerial berth.
Independent Enosh Ekka also said, “As a Government has been formed in the State, I will vote in favour of Hemant.”
Meanwhile, all Opposition parties — the BJP, JVM and AJSU — have issued a Whip to ensure all their MlAs in House. AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto told The Pioneer that his six MlAs would vote against the Government. JD(U) chief Raja Peter said the same for his two.
The Congress is not assured of getting vote of MlA Sawana lakra —convicted of murder — though he has been allowed to travel to the Assembly from Birsa Munda Jail and seek permission from the Speaker. lakra, it may be noted, is not covered by the latest Supreme Court judgement, which spares elected representatives who have already challenged conviction order in a higher court.Speaker CP Singh refused to comment on allowing lakra to vote, but with the former continuing on the post, chances of cross-voting have dimmed.
Jailed JVM MlA Dhullu Mahto, being wooed by JMM, also has permission from a Dhanbad court to attend House.Both camps remained involved in discussing strategy a day ahead of the trust vote.The Chief Minister held parleys with supporting legislators and remained out of reach for the media. However, JMM spokesman Supriyo Bhattacharya said, “There is no hitch. The Government will comfortably sail through the vote of confidence.”
Rajendra Singh said he was 110 per cent sure of proving majority in the House, but BJP leader Saryu Roy said the numbers game was evenly poised. “The Government will be in trouble if it does not get MlAs named in the list submitted to the Governor, to the House,” he warned.
A BJP insider, however, said the ruling combine would get trust even if two MlAs did not show up. “We will use the opportunity to expose the JMM-Congress-RJD and independent MlAs’ unholy alliance, sealed solely to satisfy their lust for power,” he added.
JVM legislature party leader Pradeep Yadav was also sure the Government would not get through without signing any purchase deal with MlAs. “Since the Government is on the edge, the role of tainted independents will be crucial,” he maintained.