Jaleshwar: Furious

Ranchi, April 3: The group of four disgruntled Janata Dal (United) legislators today mounted pressure on chief minister Arjun Munda, saying he would have to ?pay dearly? if Jaleshwar Mahto was not given a cabinet berth soon.

Not just the slot, the quartet wants Munda to give Mahto the drinking water and sanitation ministry, held by the Dal?s Radha Krishna Kishore, who is at the centre of the dispute.

?Our party leadership had recommended the names of the ministers and their portfolios. How the chief minister altered them is intriguing. But we will not tolerate such humiliation meted out to our central leaders. I ought to be given a place in the council of ministers and a portfolio desired by my high command. I will not accept anything other than that. If the BJP is not ready to obey the principles of coalition politics at the start of a new innings, we too are free to take our own decisions,? Mahto told The Telegraph.

The differences in the Dal on berth allotment had burst into the open when supporters of Mahto had raised slogans during the swearing-in last Tuesday. Welfare minister Ramesh Singh Munda has joined hands with Mahto and has demanded his immediate inclusion. The Dal leaders blame Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari for the mess, saying he forced the chief minister?s hand because of his proximity to Kishore. Both Namdhari and Kishore are from Palamau. Mahto has the support of the two other Dal legislators ? Kiru Mahto and Kameshwar Das.

The furious four are all the more peeved as they believe the chief minister is not taking their demand seriously in spite of BJP general secretary Rajnath Singh?s assurance to the Dal leadership of prompt action. In an effort to find a solution to the imbroglio, Dal leader Digvijay Singh will reach Ranchi tomorrow for talks with the BJP.

?Be it Arjun Munda or Inder Singh Namdhari, they have no right to humiliate our central leaders. If they do not mend their ways, I will singe them. We are not opposed to the induction of Kishore in the council of ministers or Namdhari?s election as the Speaker, but the recommendations made by our party high command ought to be executed in toto,? said Jaleshwar.

Sources said the chief minister was ready to appoint Jaleshwar as the chairman of an important board or corporation, because he wants to keep one cabinet berth vacant for the UGDP?s Joba Manjhi.

?Rehabilitating Kishore is the chief minister?s problem. We are not responsible for that. If he does not find a cure to this disease soon, he will have to pay dearly,? said Ramesh Munda, who is yet to assume charge of his office.