There can be a big reversal before the assembly elections in Jharkhand. Speculations are going on about the state’s Higher Education Minister Champai Soren. Now Congress MLA and Health Minister Banna Gupta has accused him of sabotage. Amidst all this, former Chief Minister Champai Soren told a TV channel in Delhi on Monday that he has ‘not received any offer from anyone.’ It is another matter that he had said a day before that he was ‘trying to start a new chapter and is looking for allies.’
Champai said, ‘If someone comes along, it is good. If I am not successful, I have no objection in taking retirement. I have already made my options clear in my open letter.’ While efforts are on to keep JMM united in Jharkhand, there is speculation that JMM MLA from Bishunpur Chamra Linda and former MLA from Borio Lobin Hembram are in Delhi and are in touch with Champai. Even after 24 hours of Champai’s post on social media, CM Hemant Soren or JMM have not contacted the angry MLA.
According to a TOI report, Linda and Hembram are speculated to be in Delhi to assess their prospects. Both the MLAs had rebelled against the party and contested the Lok Sabha elections as independent candidates. The JMM initiated disqualification proceedings against Lobin and disqualified him from the assembly membership, while the Bishunpur MLA was let off with a warning.
In the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, which has come down to 74 after four MLAs went to the Lok Sabha, one resigned and two were disqualified, the ruling coalition needs the support of 38 MLAs to cross the majority mark of 37. The current ruling coalition has the support of 45 MLAs. In such a situation, the JMM-led government is safe. Party MLAs from Kolhan region insisted that they are with party supremo Shibu Soren and will not go with Champai.