Jharkhand NDA rebels get panel

In an attempt to placate dissident non-BJP ministers in Jharkhand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today agreed to form a co-ordination committee for better understanding between it and independent MLAs.

The Arjun Munda-led Jharkhand government could fall without the support of the Independents. The BJP itself is doubtful about how long the government will last, even after arrangements like the co-ordination committee are put in place.

Today's decision came at a meeting of the party's state unit core committee with BJP general secretary in-charge of Jharkhand Rajnath Singh and Sanjay Joshi, organisation secretary. The Jharkhand chief minister and state BJP unit chief Yadunath Pandey were also present at the meeting.

"We have decided that a co-ordination committee will be formed. Its shape will be decided through discussions (with Independent ministers)," Singh said after the meeting, which came hours before the dissidents and party legislators were to meet BJP chief LK Advani.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the state is hinged on the support of five Independents who have been made ministers.

Singh and Joshi held separate discussions with Munda, Pandey and 10 legislators, including Pradeep Yadav and Raghuvar Das (both ministers).

Munda, whose style of functioning has come under attack from the independent ministers, said: "I have no objection in formation of the co-ordination committee".

Asked whether a common minimum programme would also be chalked out, he said, "We can discuss it". Singh declined to comment when asked whether the issue of leadership change came up at the meeting.

A delegation led by Jharkhand's Minister of State for Home Sudesh Mahto and Mines Minister Madhu Kora have been camping in the capital for the last few days and meeting several BJP leaders.