Congress says alliance with JMM on

Congress today rubbished statements of JMM general secretary Durga Soren that there would be no alliance between the two parties in Jharkhand, saying there were a few seat-sharing issues which would be sorted out soon.

"Let (JMM Chief) Shibu Soren say whether he has heard or knew what his son (Durga) is saying. Shibu Soren, sitting right next to me, had said (to the press) that he is my son and keeps saying a lot of things but I am the president. Why care for him?" Congress Working Committee (CWC) member in-charge of Jharkhand, Keshav Rao, told NDTV.

Rao said JMM wanted to field its candidate in Koderma and also wanted to exchange a seat with Congress. He expressed confidence that these problems would be sorted out when he meets Shibu Soren soon.

Durga had earlier said JMM did not need to be a part of UPA in Jharkhand. "What is the need for UPA? Congress is here on the strength of the JMM. Congress MPs and MLAs here are on the strength of our organisation. We will wipe out the RJD (in Jharkhand) and Congress and sweep the polls," Durga told the news channel.

"During elections people ask me all kinds of questions. This is one of the things. You should take it in usual (sic) stride. One should not give single iota of importance or significance to this," Rao said about Durga's comments.