Consensus appears to be eluding JMM leaders on resolving the political crisis in Jharkhand, with one section in favour of forming a government along with the BJP and another open to talks with Congress.
Senior JMM leader Teklal Mahato today gave another twist to the continuing impasse in the state by saying that he is open to holding discussions with Congress over formation of an
alternative government in Jharkhand, insisting that party
supremo Shibu Soren should remain the chief minister.
"We have come to make our Dishom Guru Shibu Soren the chief minister," Mahato said when asked whether he has come to
to Delhi to hold meetings with BJP on formation of a new
government.
The JMM leaders along with their allies are camping in Delhi in an effort to end the deadlock after the BJP withdrew support to the state government.
To a question whether he is open to parleys with Congress on the issue, Mahato said, "talks are possible."
Mahato's comment came amid speculation that a section of
JMM leaders could meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Haji Husain Ansari, another party leader, also said that party supremo Soren should remain the chief minister.
Party leader Champai Soren, whose name was last year proposed as possible chief ministerial candidate during the
political crisis in Jharkhand, also maintained that "right now
Guruji is the chief minister, we will talk to our alliance
partners but we want him to be on the chair".
Suresh Chandra Mahato, chief of All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), and state deputy chief minister, however, denied any possibility of talks with the UPA saying, "the question does not arise".
He said the leaders of JMM and their allies have come to hold talks with BJP to explore a political solution to the problem. Another senior JMM leader Hemlal Murmu also said,
"there is no possibility of going with UPA."
Shibu's son Hemant, who is playing a key role in talks between JMM and BJP for forming a new government, said, "we are going to meet our NDA friends. We will discuss the emerging political situation and an alliance government will be formed."
BJP had announced withdrawal of support to JMM-led government in Jharkhand after Shibu Soren voted against the opposition cut motion in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
However, it put its decision on hold after Hemant wrote a letter to party chief Nitin Gadkari expressing support to a BJP-led government in the state.
