Even months after the idea to form a high-level coordination committee was floated to guide the functioning of the JMM-Congress-RJD-Independents coalition Government in Jharkhand, the cloud hovering over it, is refusing to disperse. As per the latest development in this regard it has been more or less decided that Chief Minister Hemant Soren would not head the panel which is slated to comprise representatives from the coalition partners.
“We had a detailed consultation with the Chief Minister a couple of days ago. It is most likely that he would not head the Coordination Committee. He himself said this and wanted to have the final authority over any issue discussed in the Committee,” said Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sukhdeo Bhagat on Monday. The thought behind the course correction is that Hemant would hold the final authority over any disagreement, if surfaces in the Committee, and thus keep the reins in his own hands that would suit to his position as Chief Minister.
Moreover, there is no sight of the panel coming into existence sooner barring few developments. “Some names have come and the government is in its finalisation stage. But one thing has been decided that the committee would not comprise more than seven-eight members. It would be kept short,” said a senior party functionary privy to the developments taking place.
If the idea takes strides, the Congress may have to drop few names from its already announced list of nominees. Party’s Jharkhand in-charge BK Hariprasad and his deputy Tarachand Bhagora, Sukhdeo Bhagat, Minister in the Hemant Soren government Rajendra Prasad and Ranchi MP Subodh Kant Sahay along with former Assembly Speaker Alamgir Alam were earlier named to represent the panel that was expected to induct total 10.
When asked about the fate of some Congress representatives Bhagat said that “whosoever may get an axe the list would not go beyond the curtailed strength”. He also expressed hope that the panel would come into existence after festive season and take into consideration several outstanding issues, including appointments to Boards and Corporations.
“The Government is in the process to appoint two Independent MlAs- Bidesh Singh and Chamra linda -whose files for appointment have been returned from the Raj Bhawan. The Governor Secretariat had sought clarifications on 2-3 points that have been given. Other Boards would be filled up after Chhath,” added the PCC chief.
The two Independents were named to be appointed Chairman of Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation and Tenughat Vidyut Nigam limited respectively. Though, the Raj Bhawan had returned the files seeking response from the respective Departments about their
qualification required for the posts. After the response notification about filling the post is expected to be issued soon.