BJP claims another catch

Even AS the spotlight stayed on the five Jharkhand MLAs in Jaipur, the BJP on Sunday seemed to have netted its first prize catch in Chhattis...

Even AS the spotlight stayed on the five Jharkhand MLAs in Jaipur, the BJP on Sunday seemed to have netted its first prize catch in Chhattisgarh 8212; Forward Bloc MLA Bhanu Pratap Sahi alias Dehati.

According to reliable sources, Dehati reached Raipur by a state government helicopter on Sunday. Son of a former Bihar MLA, he had defeated a sitting BJP minister. Dehati, sources said, had travelled 90 km on road yesterday to reach the bordering district of Jashpur, BJP MP Dilip Singh Judeo8217;s constituency, along with his family.

If the MLA backs NDA, JMM chief Shibu Soren would fall two seats short of the magic figure of 41 in the 81-member Assembly. For now, he enjoys support of 39 MLAs, including JMM 17, Congress 9, RJD 7 and United Goa Democratic Party 3. Two other MLAs, Bloc8217;s Aparna Sengupta and NCP8217;s Kamlesh Singh, are also engaged in talks with the NDA camp. They called the UPA an 8216;8216;ulta pulta alliance8217;8217;.

Last evening, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh is learnt to have deputed his Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Bhagat to fly to Jashpur in a state helicopter and escort Dehati to the state capital. The helicopter, after a night halt at Jashpur, reached Raipur today.

Sources close to Raman said the MLA will be staying at the CM8217;s official bungalow and is likely to be taken to Jaipur where the other Jharkhand MLAs were staying at a resort. BJP general secretary Anant Kumar is coordinating the efforts.

The NDA8217;s number would swell to 42 with Dehati8217;s entry. Given the equation, Soren has got down to serious business. On Saturday afternoon, the JMM chief told a group of officials, 8216;8216;Kal ho na ho, aaj jo kaam karana hai karwa lijiye Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow, get the work done by me today.8217;8217;

Meanwhile, the BJP continued to criticise Governor Sibtey Razi. BJP MP and former CM Babulal Marandi lambasted Razi for inviting Soren to form the government. 8216;8216;He Soren will lose the confidence vote and go to jail,8217;8217; he said.

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Marandi alleged that Soren was an absconder in a 1976 murder case at Jamuniatanr village in Bokaro district. Soren also 8216;8216;evaded trial in the Chirudih massacre case and Kudco murder case8217;8217;, he charged. 8216;8216;If such a man becomes the CM, who will feel secure?8217;8217;

On his part, Soren said, 8216;8216;If I was an absconder, what was the earlier government doing? They want to capture power fraudulently.8217;8217;

Bloc denies reports

KOLKATA: The Forward Bloc on Sunday dismissed reports that one of its two MLAs was considering support to the NDA. 8216;8216;Our party MLA from Bhavanathpur, Bhanu Pratap Dehati, continues to be with our party and with the decision of the party to support the Shibu Soren government,8217;8217; veteran Bloc leader Ashok Ghosh said here. 8216;8216;I had a talk with the MLA8217;s father over telephone. He also confirmed that his son is with the party,8217;8217; he said. 8212; PTI