Munda seeks support, rebels set price

As new Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda offered an olive branch to four rebel NDA legislators today, the dissidents, conscious of their ...

As new Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda offered an olive branch to four rebel NDA legislators today, the dissidents, conscious of their increased worth, positioned themselves to extract their pound of flesh.

Munda, after being directed by senior BJP, Samata and Janata Dal (United) leaders to directly strike a deal with the rebels, met Lal Chand Mahato (Janata Dal-U), Madhu Singh, Ramesh Singh Munda and Jaleshwar Mahato (all three belonging to Samata Party) first over lunch and then over dinner. Sources said he told them: ‘‘You will be the Government. You need not make any demand. You just have to write your orders.’’

Attempt on Marandi’s life

RANCHI: Three BJP leaders — former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, former Mines Minister Ravinder Rai and MP Pradeep Yadav — had a narrow escape when suspected Jharkhand Mukti Morcha activists attacked their cavalcade at Pergodih in Godda district on Friday. Director-General of Police R.R. Prasad said the attackers carrying bows and arrows fled after police fired in the air. They smashed the windscreen of Marandi’s car and damaged other vehicles, he added. The attack took place around 6 pm when these leaders were returning to Poraiyahat after campaigning for BJP candidate Ajit Yadav for the March 24 Assembly bypolls. The police later escorted Marandi, Rai and Yadav to Godda. (ENS)

The dissidents, instead of getting carried away by this pep-talk, listed their demands one by one. Lal Chand Mahato, the former Energy Minister, demanded the return of the same portfolio with few additional favours, removal of state electricity board chairman Rajiv Ranjan from his post and a free hand in the award of contracts in his departments. Ramesh Munda demanded the plum PWD portfolio with the upgraded rank of a Cabinet Minister. Jaleshwar Mahato demanded a Cabinet rank too. Madhu Singh, who held the revenue portfolio minus registration, asked for it back along with registration.

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This prompted two Samata MLAs to demand a reward for their loyalty. Ramchand Kesari asked for the two portfolios which he earlier held, while Baccha Singh sought an upgradation to Cabinet rank.

There was no consensus on the future of Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari. The NDA leadership, bitter over his role, favoured his removal from the post. The rebels, on the other hand, favoured a lenient view. Munda is inclined to touch the issue only after the budget is passed, given the crucial post the Speaker holds.

Munda also called on Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, Samata leaders George Fernandes and Nitish Kumar, Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha and RSS joint general secretary Madan Dass Devi today.