Congress leadership braces for Jharkhand blues

The Congress leadership appeared reconciled to the fact that its ally and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren is headed for disqualification trouble that could also land the coalition government in choppy political waters. But the faction-ridden state Congress, which recently averted a poaching bid on its three MLAs, also faces a bigger task of keeping its own MLAs as well ally JMM together even as Soren is rushing for legal advice.

"There are media reports about the fate of the assembly membership of the CM of Jharkhand. As AICC in-charge, I would like to state we would welcome whatever decision the EC takes.... I would also like to say on the basis of the (EC) decision we will have discussions among all coalition partners and would frame our strategy. We would expect the major partner (JMM) in the coalition to take the allies into confidence and find ways to run the government for five years by keeping the promises made to the voters. As far as the Congress Legislature Party is concerned, it stands united... BJP has been trying all tricks to destablise the government," said Avinash Pande, AICC general secretary in-charge of the state. AICC representatives are likely to reach Ranchi soon.