Uncertainty prevails over alternate government in Jharkhand

Uncertainty prevails over formation of an alternate government in Jharkhand as both Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had failed in getting support of the magic figure of 42 MLAs in the 82-member state assembly since the President’s rule was imposed, keeping the state assembly in suspended animation on January 18.

In the 82=member state assembly the number of MLAs of each parties are as follows : BJP (18), JMM (18), Congress (13), JVM (11), Ajsu (6), RJD (5), JD(U) (2), CPI(ML) (1), MCC (1) and Independents (6).

Excepting JMM, Congress and RJD MLAs, all the other parties MLAs in the state assembly have been demanding the dissolution of the assembly and called a fresh elections in the state in order to avoid horse- trading during voting in confidence motion in the assembly.

In recent development, JMM leaders had expressed their discontent against Congress for not helping the JMM in formation of an alternate government. JMM spokesman Supriyo Bhattacharya told media that Congress should come up its stand on formation of an alternate government as people became restless and wanted to know if Congress was really interested of a democratic government or for a Central rule.

Another JMM leader said Congress was playing politics as it appeared the party was trying to rule the state from behind the curtain through the President’s rule.

Instead of replying to the allegations of the JMM against the Congress for its stand on formation of alternate government in the state, state Congress leaders like Raya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, Pradeep Kumar Balmachu, former Union minister and Lok Sabha MP from R anchi, Subodh Kant Sahay, Congress MLAs Saraubh Narayan Singh and Rajendra Prasad Singh had criticized in public meetings that BJP had been responsible for the fall of the government in Jharkhand as Arjun Munda had lost chief minister’s chair by breaking the ties with the JMM instead of giving a chance to JMM for the chief minister’s post.

Political observers in the state capital feel that in changed political scenario at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) with induction of Rahul Gandhi as Congress vice-president, the party would now concentrate in building its clean image and would not allow any tainted persons to contest during the Lok Sabha elections for 2014.