Giving it a fresh start after a long wait of over three months, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is again back in the Government formation race. Former Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren has flown to Delhi to explore possibilities of governing in alliance with the Congress.
“If Hemantji has gone to Delhi, talks will definitely take place on Government formation. At present, the ball is in the Congress’ court, as we have already put our conditions before them,” said JMM general secretary Vinod Pandey.
“We suppose the final decision will be taken by the Congress at Delhi after (Home Minister Sushilkumar) Shindeji returns from Ranchi (on Tuesday),” he added. Pandey also denied having any information regarding Soren’s programmes and meetings for Sunday.
Although the party’s Central leadership does not want to form Government in Jharkhand, local leaders are known to have succeeded in convincing it that a post-poll alliance with JMM will be difficult if they do not help them set up a dispensation at this stage. This, in the long run, may prove to be fatal for the State Congress.
Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand Sanjeev Kumar was said to have joined Soren for talks in the National Capital. They are supposed to meet senior Congress leaders and sharing of lok Sabha seats between the two in the coming lok Sabha elections may also be finalised.
Kumar, however, denied any involvement. “I want to make it clear that I am not a part of any Government forming exercise. Nor have I been authorised to do so. The only competent authority to take decision on this is Guruji,” he said.
A party source said the only hitch in forming an alternative Government in Jharkhand with the Congress was disagreement over sharing of lok Sabha seats. The day this hitch was overcome, a Government would be formed in the State.
For the JMM, “until the Assembly is dissolved, there will always be a chance to form a Government; we will continue to do it in the interest of the democracy,” said Pandey.
Jharkhand was brought under President’s Rule on January 18 for the third time, after BJP’s ruling coalition partner JMM withdrew its support on January 8 to the 28-month-old Government, pushing it to a minority.