Soren's tea party brings him Cong support

Soren's tea party brings him Cong support
ARUN SRIVASTAVA

PATNA, NOV 12: Shibu Soren finally succeeded in persuading Congress legislators to attend his tea party today, sending across the message that Congress backs him.

A beaming Soren claimed to have obtained the signatures of 36 ``secular'' and Left legislators. He was sure of getting the support of another five -- needed for a majority in the house of 81 legislators.

On Friday night, Soren had a dinner meeting with Laloo Prasad and sources maintain that the RJD chief also assured him of the required number.

Soren again called on Laloo today, reportedly to discuss the modalities of government formation. Sources close to him reveal that at least seven legislators, three from the Samata Party and two from JD(U), besides two Independents, have promised support to Soren. In an interesting development, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has also offered the office of the deputy chief minister to senior JD(U) leader Indersingh Namdhari.

Sources within the JMM maintain that today the Congress pledged support of its 11 members, followed by CPI two, CPI (ML) one and MCC one. The JMM has 12 members and the RJD enjoys the support of nine members.

Though the BJP has been quite ebullient about forming the government in Jharkhand, some of its leaders are sceptical about the moves of some senior Samata leaders. They hold the view that the Samata legislators might back out at the last moment and not extend support to the BJP. Recounting the ministry formation exercise in Bihar in March, one of the leaders said that Samata was of the opinion that BJP leaders did not try their best in garnering support for Nitish Kumar. Nitish was mainly banking on the BJP support.

These BJP leaders share the impression that hardcore Samata legislators may prefer to avenge and support Soren.

Sources maintain that the BJP has requested or Samata leaders to persuade the Samata legislators to support BJP candidate Babulal Marandi.