Jharkhand's political activity to shift to Delhi

With the Jharkhand governor asking Chief Minister Madhu Koda to prove his majority within a week, the scene of political activities is likely to shift to the national capital. Both the claimants -- Koda and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Shibu Soren -- plan to come to Deolhi to influence senior United Progressive Alliance leaders to support their cause.

"We will abide by whatever decision the Delhi durbar takes," Jharkhand minister Kamlesh Singh said.

Singh said the Jharkhand leaders were awaiting instructions from senior UPA leaders like Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar.

Koda's supporters have already planned to visit the national capital to convince the UPA leaders about the good work done by the Koda government and the damage that would be caused by a change of guard in the state.

JMM sources said Soren, who is in Giridih in connection with a court case, will reach Delhi in a couple of days to seek the 'active support' of Congress.

Party leaders are hopeful that even the RJD chief will not hinder Soren's desire to rule the state. However, his bid to take over the reins of the state might not be a cake walk with top UPA leaders not quite keen to push his case.

The UPA's earlier attempt in 2005 had boomeranged when Soren-led failed to secure majority on the floor of the house.

JMM central organising secretary Suprio Bhattacharya told PTI from Giridih: "We will form the government. All the independents will support us. We will show the numbers when required."

Party secretary Dilip Chatterjee said the party has already roped in the independent ministers. "Four-five of them have already agreed to support us. the rest will also come," claimed Chatterjee.

Interestingly, Koda also made a similar claim yesterday saying that he was confident of proving majority on the floor of the House.

Sources say that Koda's confidence emanated from the staunch support by independent ministers as well as backing of Lalu Prasad. With just a week in hand, securing the support of 17 MLAs is going to be an up-hill task for Koda.

"The UPA  is like a family and JMM is also part of this family. The crisis would be solved in three four days as it's kind of a family problem. We will do what the senior UPA leaders bid us," Kamlesh Singh said.