While the stalemate between the BJP and the JMM continued on Friday over the formation of government in Jharkhand, the Congress has dropped ample hints that the party is now thinking of demanding President’s Rule in the state.
The two major alliance partners in the Jharkhand government, with 18 MLAs each, have till now failed to resolve the issue of power-sharing between them, as the JMM is insisting on “rotation” of chief minister for 28 months each. But the saffron party’s top leadership is insisting that there could only be a BJP-led government for the entire remaining term of the present Assembly.
It is learnt that a section of the party, led by senior leader L.K. Advani, is opposed to any idea of budging to the demand of the JMM. However, sources revealed that party president Nitin Gadkari wanted to have more parleys with the coalition partner over the formation of the government.
On Friday, the BJP core group first met at the party chief’s house and then all the top leaders went into huddle at Mr Advani’s residence. “But the leaders lacked consensus to resolve the issue,” the sources confirmed.
Meanwhile, stepping up pressure, the Congress hinted that it might seek President’s Rule in the state. Speaking to reporters here, AICC spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said, “For last seven or eight days, there is a situation of standstill in Jharkhand. This should come to an end. The BJP and JMM should give a government there as soon as possible. Otherwise the Congress may demand the use of constitutional powers in the other way.” He, however, evaded a direct reply on whether the party would seek imposition of President’s Rule in the state.
The responses of Congress leader came in the wake of uncertainty prevailing in the state over formation of an alternative government after the BJP had mulled over withdrawing support to chief minister Shibu Soren’s government after he voted in favour of the UPA in the cut motion in Parliament.