Shibu Soren: Hope floats

Ranchi, Jan. 27: Hope is one thing Shibu Soren is not ready to give up.

The former chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha president today announced that he would go to Delhi after February 5 with the proposal of making either Nalin Soren or Salkhan Soren his successor (since Champai Soren was not acceptable to many).

He argued that it was not possible for him to go to Delhi with the proposal without the approval of his party’s central committee.

The JMM central committee meeting is slated for February 5 in Dhanbad.

Soren made the announcement after a meeting with party legislators at the chief minister’s official residence. Giridih MLA Munna Lal, Dumri legislator Jagannath Mahto and Majhgaon legislator Niral Purti remained conspicuous by their absence. The remaining 14 JMM MLAs participated in the crucial meeting. But Littipara representative Sushila Hansda left 30 minutes after the meeting began.

Denying claims of factionalism in the JMM, Soren said that his party was “intact” and “keen” on forming an alternative government in the state at the earliest.

“As directed by the UPA leaders in Delhi, we proposed the name of Champai Soren. But it was not acceptable to the RJD. Now, we are considering the names of Salkhan and Nalin. In any case, the next chief minister ought to be from the JMM, since we have the maximum number of representatives in the Assembly,” Soren told reporters.

Nalin Soren represents Shikaripara in the Assembly. He was the state’s agriculture minister in the Madhu Koda and Shibu Soren governments. This is his third term in the Assembly. Since he is a Christian, it is being believed that his candidature would be backed by the Church as well.

Salkhan has been representing Gandey in the Assembly for three consecutive terms. He is widely considered a pioneer of tribal politics and happens to be a JMM strongman.

When asked what will happen if the UPA leaders in Delhi rejected the JMM’s latest proposal too, Soren said that the JMM would “be free to go its own way”. He also clarified that though the JMM now favoured an alliance with the UPA, its humbleness should not be taken for granted.

“Nothing can be taken for granted in power politics. We are doing our best to form an alternative government in the state. President’s rule is shortlived,” he added.