BJP backs Munda, with two panels

Fearing the outbreak of dissidence in Jharkhand could spell the end of Arjun Munda8217;s BJP-led government, the party8217;s central leade...

Fearing the outbreak of dissidence in Jharkhand could spell the end of Arjun Munda8217;s BJP-led government, the party8217;s central leadership today decided to form two coordination committees8212;one at the party level and the other including dissident non-BJP ministers.

The decision was taken at a meeting this afternoon at BJP president L K Advani8217;s residence8212;it was attended by Munda, former CM Babulal Marandi, state unit chief Yadhunath Pandey and a few ministers, including dissident ministers Subodh Mahto and Madhu Kora. BJP general secretary in charge of Jharkhand, Rajnath Singh, and general secretary organisation, Sanjay Joshi, were also present.

Rajnath Singh told reporters that two coordination committees would be formed 8216;8216;both at party and NDA level8217;8217; and the shape of the committees would be decided after 8216;8216;discussions8217;8217; with all concerned.

The decision was taken after a series of meetings between BJP central leaders and dissidents who have been camping in the capital for the last few days to complain against Munda8217;s 8216;8216;arbitrary8217;8217; style of functioning. According to sources, their main grievance was that Munda did not 8216;8216;consult8217;8217; them enough or take their advice in 8216;8216;transfers and postings.8217;8217; For the moment, they wanted a more democratic style of functioning and did not press for a change in leadership, sources said.

The BJP leadership responded with far greater alacrity to the Jharkhand issue than to the long-simmering crisis in Gujarat because Arjun Munda8217;s position is a lot more precarious than that of Narendra Modi. Munda is critically dependent on the five independent MLAs, all of whom were made ministers in the 12-member ministry and have now turned dissidents. They are Madhu Kora, Enos Ekka, Harinarayan Rai, Chandraprakash Chaudhury and Sudesh Mahto.

Besides the five independents, JDU ministersRamesh Munda and Janeshwar Mahto had also joined the chorus. Ramesh Munda openly talked of the 8216;8216;political crisis8217;8217; in the state, pointing out that eight of the 12 ministers had come to the Capital with complaints. Since the BJP was the leader of the coalition, it should take the initiative to resolve the crisis, he said.

But more than the anti-Munda faction in the BJP, it was the threat posed by non-BJP rebels that has forced the party to take remedial action, sources said. With Munda enjoying just a bare majority in the 81-member Assembly, the independents have enormous clout.