While President’s Rule is likely to be imposed in Jharkhand later this week, on Governor Syed Ahmed’s recommendation, political parties in the state have not given up on trying to form a government.
According to sources, although there is no clear political alliance to be able to form a majority, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress and Independents are still in talks on a possible political formation. The governor’s recommendation is to keep the legislative assembly under suspended animation under President’s Rule. According to analysts, it is significant that dissolving it has not been recommended, leaving open the option for parties to work out an alliance.
After 28 months in power, the coalition government of the Bharatiya Janata Party and JMM fell last week. The latter has been trying to rope in the Congress. While the state leadership of the Congress is keen to be in power, the central leadership of the party is not so eager. JMM leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren was in Delhi all of last week but could not get an audience with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. Party sources say they do not want a repeat of the flak they’d got for earlier having supported the tainted Madhu Koda-led government.
Nevertheless, sources say Shakeel Ahmed, the Congress’ overseer for the state, is still in talks with JMM leaders. The view within the Congress leadership is that instead of hurrying into government formation, an arrangement should be worked out with the JMM keeping the 2014 general elections in mind. Sources told Business Standard, “The party is clear that any alliance we stitch up now should keep seat sharing for the 2014 in mind. After all, we need to look at the long-term prospects.” The party also wishes to retain the chief ministership.
In the 82-member assembly, the BJP and JMM have 18 each and the Congress has 13. The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (P) has 11 and the RJD has five. There are six independent MLAs.