JMM adamant, wants Soren as Jharkhand CM

PATNA, OCT 23: Even as the BJP's central leadership is engaged in selecting its candidate for Jharkhand's chief minister, Jharkhand Mukti ...

PATNA, OCT 23: Even as the BJP’s central leadership is engaged in selecting its candidate for Jharkhand’s chief minister, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has warned not to ignore the claim of Shibu Soren

On its part, the BJP appears suitably worried. For the first time, it has summoned its MLAs, MPs and senior leaders to Delhi for resolving the contentious issue. The two-day special session currently on.

So far, the state level leaders have been engaged in staking their claim. But well placed sources maintain that senior leaders L.K. Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi are leading the two rival groups at the national level.

Story continues below this ad

Babu Lal Marandi, Govindacharya’s candidate, is now supported by Advani while his rival Karia Munda enjoys Murli Manohar Joshi’s support.

Sources maintain that at one point, a large number of MLAs had extended support to Karia Munda. However, some of them have since switched over to the Marandi camp.

The BJP leadership is sure of forming the government even without the JMM’s support. A senior leader confided that the party leadership is not inclined to offer the office of chief ministership to the JMM. It would rather strive to instal the NDA government. It has 32 members in Jharkhand and will depend on the NDA constituents for support.

Meanwhile, the move to engineer a split in the RJD’s Jharkhand unit has also been initiated. The RJD has virtually no role to play in Jharkhand, so its members are inclined to support the BJP candidate. Sources also maintain that the BJP is wary of Samata’s attitude, since it has held its cards close to its chest.