JMM, BJP agree... then Shibu speaks

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New Delhi/ranchi, May 8: With conflicting signals emanating from the BJP central leadership here and JMM in Ranchi, the political crisis in Jharkhand appears far from being resolved.

The BJP on Saturday claimed the JMM, its partner in the Jharkhand government, had agreed to give unconditional support to a BJP government for the remainder of the term of the state Assembly. But the JMM leadership, including embattled chief minister Shibu Soren, on their return to Ranchi, claimed they had offered the BJP a rotational arrangement for the chief ministership.
While the BJP said its parliamentary board would meet Monday to decide its CM candidate, the JMM leadership said the saffron party’s highest decision making body would decide on the offer from the Shibu Soren-led party.
After the meeting, BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar, announcing the decision, said the BJP will “head the government for the remaining four-and-a-half-year term” of the state Assembly.
Mr Kumar said, “A BJP-led NDA government will be formed in Jharkhand. We want to save the state from Congress misrule. A stable government which stands for development will be formed,” he said. Mr Kumar insisted the talks ended on a happy note.
Standing beside Mr Kumar, Mr Shibu Soren’s son, JMM Legislature Party leader Hemant Soren, said, “We had fruitful discussions with senior BJP leaders. We will support a government in Jharkhand under a BJP leadership. The decision has been taken to save the state from President’s Rule.”
However, when BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman was asked about the JMM supremo’s latest position, she said the BJP was “not aware of this” but made it clear the understanding arrived at the meeting was that “only the BJP will head the new coalition government”.
BJP sources indicated there could be a rethink on forming a government if the JMM insists on a rotating chief ministership.
In Ranchi, a senior JMM leader who attended the Delhi meeting, said, “There was dissension within our party after the news of Hemantji’s agreement for our support for the entire term came. This issue remains to be discussed at the BJP’s parliamentary board meeting on Monday before any final decision on power-sharing is taken.”

Yojna Gusai and Anand S.T. Das