Soren's deal with Cong: Making son Dy CM?

NEW DELHI: Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren voted for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the cut motion on Tuesday. It has set off speculation that there may be new power equation in the state and alter his relation with the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), his coalition partner.

A shocked BJP said after the vote that it has taken note of Soren's act in the Parliament. Soren, still a member of the Lok Sabha, made a rare appearance to spring a surprise on the BJP.

"We have taken note of it," a senior BJP leader said outside the Parliament, indicating that Soren could face trouble in the state.

"Soren has clearly ditched us. Now we are going to review our stand to support the government led by him," said BJP's state unit spokesperson Sanjay Seth.

BJP sources said Soren may have struck a deal with the Congress under which he may move to the Centre and make his son Hemant the Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand.