JMM demands sharing of power on 50:50 basis

JMM has asked BJP to share power with them in Jharkhand on 50:50 basis, two days after the saffron party said it would head the coalition for the rest of the tenure (four and half years) of the present house.

Briefing newsmen late last night after Chief Minister Shibu Soren chaired a 3-hour-long legislature party meeting, his son Hemant Soren said the party would wait for BJP's response to the sharing of power between the allies and would again discuss on the issue on May 12, depending on the ally's stand.

"During the meeting with BJP President Nitin Gadkari and others, we proposed sharing of power for 28 months each. But now, we have learnt that BJP is willing to govern the state for a full term," Hemant, JMM legislative party leader, said.

"For the sake of stability and development of the state, we gave the post of chief minister to BJP. And now, it is up to them to think over the issue of sharing power on 50-50 basis," he said.
    
Asked when Chief Minister Shibu Soren would resign, Hemant said "let BJP choose its chief ministerial candidate and clear its stand on the 50-50 proposal."
   
Fourteen out of the party's 18 MLAs attended the late night meeting.
    
"JMM legislative party meeting also felt that BJP should choose a tribal leader for its chief ministerial candidate. Now, it is on BJP to ensure political stability in the interest of the state," Hemant said.
    
He said BJP should run the state for 28 months and make way for JMM to assume power thereafter.
    
Soren also said JMM had proposed five ministerial berths during selection of portfolios.
    
BJP has appointed central observers - Rajnath Singh and Anant Kumar - who would go to Ranchi today to help their party MLAs choose a new chief minister.
    
Meanwhile, senior JMM MLA Simon Marandi said two opinions emerged during the meeting. "One group was against realignment with BJP and another favoured re-arrangement," he said.