Jharkhand has not yet seen the end of last ditch efforts by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) to form Government with the Congress. Reports suggest former Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren tried to break ice again last week, in a secret meeting with the Congress leaders.
The mission has been deliberately kept away from media glare this time and even senior party leaders were not consulted ahead of deliberations. “Do-char din me dhamaka ho sakta hai (You may get a surprise in a few days). This time, it is happening without any drumbeats,” said a JMM legislator, adding that the Congress leaders of Delhi — via their counterparts in Jharkhand — were in consultation with Hemant.
Sources in the Congress also confirmed that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi had taken matters related to Jharkhand into his own hands, be it entering a coalition or appointment of the State unit president. “He is discussing matters and any outcome is expected after April 22,” said KN Tripathi of the Congress.
The renewed endeavour, however, does not seem to be carrying much weight, particularly in view of consistent snubs from the Central leadership so far. The high command has been in no mood to entertain pleas of its State unit to form a Government with the JMM and a few power-hungry independents.
The JMM also understands this. “It may be the final effort to form a Government. That is why there is not much talk about this, as several such attempts have yielded nothing,” said the JMM leader.
Helpless before the high command, Jharkhand Congress leaders are running from pillar to post. “look, the Central leadership should either work for strengthening the party at the grassroots or form an alliance. We have made this view clear and also reopened dialogue with Hemant. The party won’t be benefited by prolonging the Governor’s rule,” said Furkan Ansari, a former Congress MlA.
The Congress has also opened channels to woo crucial tribal voters. Rahul is expected to attend a ‘tribal conference’ either on June 12 or 18 in Ranchi. “We will focus on issues related to tribals, like land rights, Sarna code, rights to gram sabha, migration, displacement and rehabilitation policy and trafficking of tribal girls. These are larger issues the Congress should be highlighting,” said Deo Kumar Dhan, who has been given charge of the conference.
Indications are that the party is trying to bring down two birds with one stone. Shepherding tribals on one hand, and holding JMM — sole claimant of tribal votes in the State so far — on the other,
the Congress is eying the next Assembly and parliamentary polls.
If the Congress adds anything to the present tally of one in the lok Sabha, Jharkhand would be like a frontier conquered.