Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda was directed by Governor Syed Sibtey Razi tonight to prove on the floor of the Assembly on or before August 25 whether he enjoyed majority support, a day after his government was reduced to a minority following the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)’s withdrawal of support.
The governor’s direction came even as the state headed for political uncertainty with the possibility of President’s Rule not being ruled out.
On the other hand, Congress managers admitted that Jharkhand was headed for President’s Rule, even as the party maintained it would support JMM chief Shibu Soren’s bid for chief ministership.
“The party is with Shibu Soren, if he can muster the numbers we are prepared to support him; we have not toppled any government,” said Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari.
In private, however, the party appeared worried over what seemed to be a catch 22 situation. According to a senior Congress leader involved in the state affairs, the Congress was in danger of being reduced to two seats from its present strength of nine in the Jharkhand Assembly.
“If elections are held after a spell of President’s Rule, we will be reduced to two seats. If an alternative government with Shibu Soren is formed, then too our situation will be the same. Only if elections are held in the present situation, do we have any hope of retaining our seats,” said the leader.
The Congress is also in a dilemma because one of its chief allies —Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad — is not in favour of toppling Koda.
“Most of Yadav’s fodder scam cases are being fought in Jharkhand courts, and any change in status quo is making him nervous,” said a senior leader. Publicly, the Congress has distanced itself from any exertion on behalf of Soren. “We cannot pursue any ally on behalf of Soren,” said Tiwari.
Till late in the evening, Congress leaders Ahmad Patel and Ajay Maken, secretary in charge of Jharkhand were closeted with Congress President Sonia Gandhi to solve the current crisis.
The BJP, meanwhile, is sitting pretty and has demanded President’s Rule and early elections.
Former chief minister Arjun Munda had toyed with the idea of getting the numbers together to form a government but he has been denied by the central leadership. “We are going to sweep the next Assembly polls,” said a senior BJP leader.
