Shibu, Marandi stake power claims

Political parties seek to form government after fractured mandate in Jharkhand

Just as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren began bargaining for power, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (P) president Babulal Marandi on Thursday hit back at him saying his party has begun exploring the possibility of a government without JMM’s support. “With the Congress-JVM emerging as the largest single faction, it is clear that our axis has been the first preference of people. We, therefore, should not shrink away from our responsibility to form the next state government. Call it the third front or the development front, a government without JMM support is possible. This government will be stable and transparent,” Marandi, a political rival of JMM, said.

“Jharkhand has suffered a great deal due to politics of opportunism. The JVM will never allow anyone to bargain any further. What is needed now is for the Congress to step up the initiative,” he said. Marandi’s JVM-P and the Congress, who have fought the election together, emerged as the largest single block with 25 seats.

Though he was not clear on how the alliance would muster the necessary 41 seats to form the government, Marandi seems to be pinning his hopes on getting the support of the smaller parties. 

Marandi’s hopes
AJSU’s five MLAs, RJD’s five, one MLA each from CPI (ML) and the  Marxist Coordination Committee besides six others are central to Marandi’s hopes of government formation. The group of six includes the three tainted leaders and the wife of the shamed Madhu Koda.

Earlier, speaking to the media at Bokaro, Shibu Soren said he would never let Jharkhand suffer any more.

“The JMM played a crucial role in Jharkhand’s formation. The state had suffered since and it is our responsibility to ensure the state’s development,” Soren said. “We are neither part of the UPA nor the NDA. More over, the BJP is not untouchable.” “The results clearly show rise in popularity of Guruji (Soren),” said Soren’s son Hemant Soren. Poised to hold power in the state for the first time, the Congress is keen to join forces with Shibu Soren, while it appears to be less keen on installing him as the Chief Minister.

“Providing a stable and secular government is our priority. Shibu Soren is the leader of the state and he must cooperate in forming the government,” Congress state president Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu said.