Left stand dashes BJP hopes in Jharkhand

By K. Balchand

PATNA, AUG. 25. The decision of the Left parties to help form a secular Government in the new Jharkhand State is likely to add to the woes of the faction-ridden BJP in having its way in installing an outfit under its leadership.

Both the CPI and the CPI(ML) have for the first time, assigned themselves an active role in Government-formation in the Jharkhand state by deciding to keep the BJP-led NDA out of power.

The decision of these two parties marks a change in their attitude towards the RJD and the Congress(I), much to the chagrin of the NDA. Their earlier decision to oppose the RJD-Congress(I) combine had given scope for the BJP-led NDA to install a shortlived Government in Bihar five months ago.

The BJP would have welcomed a similar approach vis-a-vis formation of Government in the tribal heartland. The reconsidered stand of the CPI and the CPI(ML) is to the disadvantage of the BJP, while raising hopes of formation of a secular Government in the plateau region.

The CPI and the CPI(ML) together have four MLAs which are crucial for a secular Government to assume power. The CPI will be the largest left party in Jharkhand with three MLAs, while the CPI(ML) has one. The honour in Bihar, despite the division, will rest with the CPI(ML) which will be left with five MLAs in the Bihar Assembly where the CPI's strength will be two.

The CPI and the CPI(ML) have decided to collectively take a decision along with the MCC (one MLA), thus raising the strength of the Left parties in the Jharkhand Assembly to five.

The MCC is currently part of the RJD-led alliance in Bihar. The alliance comprising of the RJD (nine), the Congress(I) (11), UGDP (two), Independents (two) and MCC (one) account for 25 members in the 82-member (including the nominated) Jharkhand House. As against this, the BJP-led NDA accounts for 41 (including the nominated member), thus one short of the magic number for majority. The BJP has 32 MLAs, while the Samata Party and the JD(U) have five and three members respectively.

Appreciating their crucial role, the Left parties have apparently shed their reservations for what its senior leader, Mr. U. N. Mishra, described as totally different circumstances obtaining in the Jharkhand region.

The CPI(ML) has, however, made it clear that the JMM would have to first dissociate itself from the BJP-led NDA. the two Left parties are thus working on the contradictions plaguing the BJP and the NDA, making the formation of a secular Government probable.

While the BJP is against handing over the reins to the JMM president, Mr. Shibu Soren, the Samata Party and the JD(U) are exerting pressure to honour the word given to him while seeking his support to put up an alternative in Bihar.

The decision of the Left parties would compound the BJP's problems as it holds a promise to Mr. Soren to shift loyalties and join forces with them for a sure gain. While the party would have to contend with this move, the other impact is that the BJP would have to tide over its intenal rift over the leadership issue. Not only are the MLAs divided in their loyalties towards the Union Minister, Mr. Babulal Marandi, and the senior MP, Mr. Karia Munda, most of the Central leaders too are adrift over the issue. While the working committee of the CPI is meeting on August 30 and 31 to decide its future course of action, the three Left parties are also expected to meet soon.

NDA to select leader

NEW DELHI, AUG. 25. The Samata Party leader, Mr. Nitish Kumar, today said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will soon meet to select the leader for the newly-formed Jharkhand State.

``We will soon meet to decide whether a BJP candidate or a candidate from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) will head the newly-formed State. But the candidate would be selected with the approval of both sides,'' Mr. Kumar told presspersons here.

- PTI

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