The newly elected Congress legislators from State on Friday called upon Congress president Sonia Gandhi at 10, Janpath the official residence of Gandhi family in New Delhi. Today’s meeting was the first formal meeting of Congress lawmakers from State.
The meeting which lasted for around 30 minutes was attended by senior Congress Rahul Gandhi, State Congress in-charge RPN Singh, State Congress president Rameshwar Oroan, Congress legislative party leader Alamgir Alam, two MPs Dhiraj Sahu and Geeta Koda apart from all 16 MLAs.
Purnima Neeraj Singh the Congress MLA from Jharia said, “Today’s meeting was just formal meeting as Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi had called on all MLAs after election results.” Singh said, “The Congress chief asked the elected MLAs to work for State and party.” Singh, the first timer MLA from Jharia won the seat defeating her sister-in-law Ragini Singh who was fielded by BJP.
Ragini is wife of former MLA Sanjeev Singh who is currently being tried for killing his political rival and cousin Niraj Singh. Purnima Singh is Niraj's widow.
Echoing the views of Singh, Naman Bixal Kongari the Congress MLA from Kolebira said, “The meeting with Congress chief was very fruitful as she gave us some ideas how to work for party and state.”
The 16 elected MLAs comprise 10 first timers stayed at 10 Janpath and also had photoshoot with their national president and Rahul Gandhi. The Congress chief after meeting elected MLAs had a separate meeting with Congress state president Rameshwar Oroan, Congress legislative party leader Alamgir Alam and State Congress in-charge RPN Singh and others.
Sources said that in the meeting the leaders discussed on probable names, who will be included in the Hemant Soren Cabinet. Sources said that as Congress is to get three more Cabinet berths, hectic lobbying is on for ministerial berths.
As per Congress sources, caste and regional balance will be given importance in making new Ministers. The Congress keeping an eye to year end Bihar Assembly election is going to give representation to backward and upper caste in Ministry.
As Congress from its quota had given representations to Muslim and tribals, MLAs from OBC and upper caste will be given preference. In such situation names of Banna Gupta, Amba Prasad, Mamta Devi, Deepika Pandey Singh, Purnima Neeraj Singh, Rajendra Singh and others are doing rounds.
A senior Congress leader requesting anonymity said, “The Congress high command has decided to make at least one minister from women. In such situation any of Amba Prasad, Mamta Devi, Deepika Pandey Singh, Purnima Neeraj Singh can be made a minister.