Amid speculation that some Congress MLAs could switch over to the ruling side, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghuvar Das today said he would welcome anyone wanting to back his government but insisted that nobody from the opposition party had got in touch with him so far.
"No MLA is in touch with me. We have full majority in the state and we are confident. But if somebody wants to come to us, back our government keeping in mind the interest of Jharkhand, they are welcome," he said while addressing a press conference here.
In the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, BJP has 37 MLAs, four short of the majority mark. Its ally AJSU party has five MLAs.
There has been reports that Congress could split in the state. The reports suggested that four of its six legislators are in touch with the BJP, which needs to strengthen its position in the Assembly as the government is currently dependent on AJSU for survival.
The more than 14-years of Jharkhand history is replete with instances of allies switching sides.
AJSU had been part of most of the governments ever since the formation of Jharkhand in 2000 and its leader Sudesh Mahato was Deputy Chief Minister in the last two governments led by JMM and BJP, respectively.
AJSU recently expressed unhappiness over delay in appointing all the Cabinet ministers, saying it sends a wrong signal.
Asked if there is trust deficit with AJSU, the Chief Minister said, "These are talks and speculation in media and political circles. But our relationship is strong. People have lost faith in governments in Jharkhand. We have brought that faith back."
He noted that it is the first time that AJSU fought in pre-poll allinace with any party in Jharkhand but declined to answer when the state Cabinet will be expanded.
