Cong-JMM strike deal to form coalition govt in Jharkhand
6 July 2013 11:36 PM GMT
Congress on Friday inked an agreement with JMM to form a coalition government in Jharkhand and contest next Lok Sabha election in alliance with the tribal party, which is first new ally to come to UPA ahead of 2014 general elections.
Under the agreement, while JMM will have its chief minister in the state, Congress has secured a lion’s share of the 14 Lok Sabha seats. While Congress will contest on 10 seats, JMM will get four seats.
This was announced by JMM leader Hemant Soren, who will be the Chief Minister of the Congress-JMM coalition government in Jharkhand.
He made the announcement after a meeting with AICC general secretary in-charge for Jharkhand B K Haripasad in the Congress headquarters.
The alliance is not confined to Jharkhand as both parties have decided to contest the next Lok Sabha polls together in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Chhattisgarh as well.
The symbolism was not lost as Soren’s father Shibu Soren is considered a key tribal face in the country and tribals are in substantial number in these states especially in Chhattishgarh and Odisha. While Chhattisgarh goes to assembly polls this year, Odisha polls will be held along with Lok Sabha elections due next year.
‘When allies are deserting NDA, new parties are coming to UPA,’ Haripasad said.
In a party statement, Hariprasad said that both parties decided to form the alliance to ‘protect and promote secular and progressive values and to ensure the further empowerment of the weaker sections of society.’
The tribal-dominated state was under President’s Rule since 18 January after the collapse of the Arjun Munda-led BJP government as JMM withdrew support from it on 8 January. President’s Rule expires on 18 July. The coalition government in Jharkhand will function according to a common agenda of governance and common minimum programme, which will be monitored by a coordination committee.
Though there is speculation that Congress CLP leader Rajinder Prasad Singh could be made a deputy chief minister, there was no such indication from the AICC. Agencies
Under the agreement, while JMM will have its chief minister in the state, Congress has secured a lion’s share of the 14 Lok Sabha seats. While Congress will contest on 10 seats, JMM will get four seats.
This was announced by JMM leader Hemant Soren, who will be the Chief Minister of the Congress-JMM coalition government in Jharkhand.
He made the announcement after a meeting with AICC general secretary in-charge for Jharkhand B K Haripasad in the Congress headquarters.
The alliance is not confined to Jharkhand as both parties have decided to contest the next Lok Sabha polls together in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Chhattisgarh as well.
The symbolism was not lost as Soren’s father Shibu Soren is considered a key tribal face in the country and tribals are in substantial number in these states especially in Chhattishgarh and Odisha. While Chhattisgarh goes to assembly polls this year, Odisha polls will be held along with Lok Sabha elections due next year.
‘When allies are deserting NDA, new parties are coming to UPA,’ Haripasad said.
In a party statement, Hariprasad said that both parties decided to form the alliance to ‘protect and promote secular and progressive values and to ensure the further empowerment of the weaker sections of society.’
The tribal-dominated state was under President’s Rule since 18 January after the collapse of the Arjun Munda-led BJP government as JMM withdrew support from it on 8 January. President’s Rule expires on 18 July. The coalition government in Jharkhand will function according to a common agenda of governance and common minimum programme, which will be monitored by a coordination committee.
Though there is speculation that Congress CLP leader Rajinder Prasad Singh could be made a deputy chief minister, there was no such indication from the AICC. Agencies
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