Even as the Congress is facing trouble in Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, problem is brewing in for the JMM-Congress coalition Government in Jharkhand. Eight MLAs from ruling Congress are camping in Delhi to flag their concern before the party high command.
While party sources said they are to request the high command for an audience to present their grievances, political sources said a section of legislators are in the national Capital to look for other options.
The BJP has set an eye to stage a comeback just like they did in Madhya Pradesh.
“They (MLAs) are party members and have every right to visit their leadership to discuss anything including grievances, if any,” said a Congress Rajya Sabha MP.
The unusual movement of Congress MLAs from Jharkhand to Delhi comes a month after Chief Minister Hemant Soren had to return from Delhi after making futile attempts for five days to meet top Congress leadership.
Amid the growing dissent among a section of MLAs over non-cooperation by their own party members in Government, a senior Congress leader from the State said concerned legislators have gone Delhi to put forth their grievances to the high command.
“If the resentment continue, there may be change in the State organisation and also a change of guard in the leadership of Congress Legislatures,” said the leader recalling that Jharkhand Congress Congress chief Rameshwar Oraon had met some of the AICC leaders last month when he visited Delhi along with Soren.
Efforts are though being made by both the State and Central leadership as well the JMM-led government to duly accomodate party MLAs in some of the administrative units and legislative functions within the State purview.
While a political source in Delhi confirmed that there could be some “development” in respect to the Jhakhand government, AICC leaders ruled out any effort by the BJP to topple the coalition.
AICC sources said the Jharkhand Congress MLAs have complained that the party’s ministers do not adequately address the issues and problems raised by them. MLAs Deepika Pandey Singh, Mamta Devi and Purnima Neeraj Singh met Congress Legislature Party Leader Alamgir Alam and put forward their grievances, following which Alam said that he has assured the leaders that their problems and demands will be taken to the Chief Minister after following the necessary process.
Both the JMM and Congress have staked claim to the vacant 12th berth in the Soren Cabinet. Besides the CM, the JMM has five Ministers while the Congress has four and other ally RJD one ministerial berth.
The present composition of 81 member Jharkhand assembly comprises of ruling coalition with 51 MLAs that has JMM (30), Congress (18), RJD, NCP and CPI(M-L) one each. While the Opposition side NDA with 30 MLAs led by Babulal Marandi include 26 of BJP and two each for AJSU and Independents.
