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Soren vague on a change in Jharkhand leadership

Ranchi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)chief Shibu Soren on Wednesday said any decision on a possible Cabinet induction of two of his party MPs will be taken after August 7 even as he remained non-committal on a change in the State’s leadership.

“Everything would be decided once the Prime Minister returns home from abroad (SAARC Summit) on August 7. It was the Congress who had offered us the two Central berths, which has in any way been the party’s rightful claim,” Mr. Soren said while hinting his desire for “something more than what was promised ahead of the July 22 trust vote”.

Mr. Soren, who is also known as ‘Guruji’, who met several party legislators at his residence, did not give a direct reply on a query as to whether he wished a change of guard in Jharkhand, where JMM is the major supporter of the Madhu Koda-led UPA. “I will not say anything on that. People know who has been the number one soldier of Jharkhand for the past 40 years. They know who fought and suffered for the State,” Mr. Soren said, when asked why he was skirting a straight reply on the leadership issue.

Asserting he had the capability to steer Jharkhand’s future for the better, Mr. Soren said he had seen the State from close and knew factors conducive for its development. The JMM chief claimed during his political career he had been instrumental in making a number of Chief Ministers both in undivided Bihar and after Jharkhand’s creation.

Deputy Chief Minister Sudhir Mahto, Agriculture Minister Nalin Soren and Re-venue Minister Dulal Bhuyan were among the 13 of the 17 JMM MLAs present at the meeting at Soren’s residence.

After the meeting, Revenue Minister Dulal Bhuyan told reporters that party MLAs and the people of the State had always desired to see ‘Guruji’ as the chief minister. According to party sources, JMM MLAs themselves had called the meeting in Mr. Soren’s residence following media reports that they were not united on certain issues.

The fragile Madhu Koda Government has 42 MLAs in the 81-member house. Independent MLA Koda took over reins on September 18, 2006 after toppling the Arjun Munda-led NDA government. -- PTI

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Soren vague on a change in Jharkhand leadership

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