Munda's fate hangs in balance as G4 strikes

NEW DELHI: Amidst all-out attempts by the UPA to prop up an alternative government in Jharkhand and with Arjun Munda battling against heavy odds, the BJP state government was reduced to a minority with four independent MLAs, who were ministers in the Munda regime, tendering their resignations and withdrawing support to the NDA.

The power-game has shifted back to Delhi tonight with Congress and RJD managers trying to broker peace between the NDA deserters’ chief ministerial candidate Madhu Kodah, and JMM chief Shibu Soren who has also named two of his MPs for the top post. Adding to the sizzle is Mr Munda’s last-minute ambitious attempt to poach some RJD MLAs. The final act is expected to be played out on the Assembly floor soon with Mr Mund wanting a floor-test.

In what is clearly promising to be a night of long knives, many feel Mr Kodah has quite a chance if the four independent MLAs refuse to blink in the tug-of-war with the JMM by chanting the TINA tune.

Though Mr Soren, leader of the JMM, which has 17 MLAs and thus the largest UPA constituent in the state, today named his Lok Sabha colleague, Sudhir Mahto along with Teklal Mahto as candidates for the top post, he could come under pressure from the Congress and RJD to give up as they do not want the BJP to benefit from the confusion in the UPA camp. “Things will fall in place late tonight or by tomorrow morning,” said a Congress leader even as NDA deserters are waiting for an audience with Sonia Gandhi.

On its part, the Congress, which has nine MLAs, does not want to soil its hands in this seemingly messy trouble-prone power project. Instead the party will play the king-maker by extending only outside support to any alternative government. However, the Congress, with its eyes set on the next round of Assembly elections, will stake its claim for the crucial post of the Speaker if the alternative power plan falls in place.

The participation of the RJD, which has seven MLAs in the newly-attempted government, depends on the extent of Munda’s poaching bid on them.

The crucial decision of the four independent MLAs —Madhu Kodah, Harinarayan Rai, Enos Ekka and Kamlesh Singh — to resign from the Munda cabinet was taken this morning after they were persuaded by the Congress managers — Ahmed Patel, RK Anand, and Mebel Rebello — to take the plunge by promising them an amicable settlement with the JMM. The Congress leaders also met Mr Soren and told him about the need for a united UPA to ensure the downfall of the BNO government.

Till late tonight, Congress and RJD leaders are offering JMM and independent MLAs various power-sharing formulas with a promise that the side that sacrifices the chief minister's post will be compensated with many plum cabinet posts.

Though Mr Soren brought his MLAs and senior colleagues to Delhi to demonstrate his party's determination to head the alternative government, in the event of the gang of four remaining firm with Mr Kodah, the JMM chief may be forced to settle for the next best option.

Even though the Congress is keen to see the end of the Munda regime, not many leaders are optimistic about the alternative project lasting long, given the slippery characters involved in it.

It is with this understanding that the Congress is thinking of keeping off the new power-project as the party wants to prepare for the next Assembly polls. Apart from that, the Congress after having burnt its fingers in the previous aborted power-grab, this time wants to operate from behind the scenes.

With today's development, the NDA strength in the 82-member Assembly stands reduced to 40 and the UPA managers say more MLAs will switch over to their side soon.