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UPA, NDA gear up for Jharkhand showdown

    Ranchi: Both the UPA as well as the NDA alliance partners are gearing up for an inevitable showdown on the streets and assembly in Jharkhand. On Monday, the UPA announced its plan to hold a "Ranchi Chalo" rally, while former Chief Minister and NDA leader Arjun Munda moved the Supreme Court seeking among other things security for the five independent MLAs. "UPA is planning to make things difficult for the five independent MLAs," said Munda. The petition filed by the NDA listed the party's fears in Jharkhand, while its leaders in Ranchi appeared to be in an aggressive mood. NDA leaders even issued threats in case UPA went ahead with its agitation plan. "Although the party is not planning anything to counter the UPA's move, nothing can prevent its supporters to take to the streets in self defence," said former Jharkhand Chief Minister, Babulal Marandi.

     Chief Minister Shibu Soren, however, dismissed the thinking that the BJP was airing in public. "There is no threat to peace. It's the BJP which is trying to create a law and order problem," said he. Jharkhand has been on the political boil for the ten days following the declaration of its first assembly election results. With no political alliance emerging with a clear majority in the polls, the state's Governor, Syed Sibte Razi, controversially handed over the baton of power to Union Coal Minister and JMM leader Shibu Soren, which led to the opposition NDA lodging vociferous protests and stalling proceedings of the budget session of Parliament. The hue and cry over the issue even prompted President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam to summon Governor Razi to Delhi to get a clearer picture of the situation in the state. Razi eventually decided to ask Soren to secure his vote of confidence by March 15 instead of March 22.

Marandi gets Home in Soren cabinet (Go To Top)

     Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren has given the crucial portfolios of Home, Personnel and Administrative Reforms to his deputy Stephen Marandi, while RJD member Annapurna Devi was asked to continue as a minister without portfolio. A state cabinet communique said that Devi will assist Soren in his responsibilities. Girinaath Singh has been allocated Parliamentary affairs, Joba Manjhi (Rural Devlopment, Social and Tribal Welfare), Kamlesh Kumar Singh (Irrigation, Panchayati Raj and NREP) and Bandhu Tirkey (Road and Building Construction). The announcement of the cabinet portfolios notwithstanding, Soren has to show his strength in the House on March 15, failing which the Governor, Syed Sibte Razi, may have to opt to call in the opposition NDA or call for President's rule pending fresh polls.

'Soren Govt. threatening our families', allege 5 Independent MLAs (Go To Top)

     Jaipur: The five Independent MLAs of Jharkhand, presently kept by the BJP in a resort near Jaipur, have accused the Sibu Soren-led coalition government of making threatening calls to their families. According to them, the state government was adopting indirect pressure tactics to garner their support at the time of testing the government's strength on the floor of the Assembly on March 15. The support of these MLA is very crucial for the formation of next government in Jharkhand. "Our families are facing threats in Jharkhand. Our family members are being tortured by the UPA government and they are creating a fearful situation there," Sudesh Mahito said. The five MLAs from Jharkhand have been kept in the Sunrise Resort near Jaipur under very tight security. Two days earlier, NDA leaders had announced that all these five independents MLAs would be given ministerial berth in new government. But, these MLAs claim that they have not imposed any conditions for their support to the NDA government. Hari Narayan, an Independent MLA, denied that he was under any kind of pressure to support the NDA. "The truth is that I am under no pressure. It is because of my own personal choice that I am supporting NDA," Hari Narayan said. While JMM chief Shibu Soren has to prove his majority on March 15, these MLAs need to reach Ranchi on March 10 to take oath as MLAs.

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