BJP meet evades discussing candidate for Jharkhand CM

Union Minister of State for Forests and Environment Babu Lal Marandi and MP Karia Munda, two strong contenders for the chief minister’s post in Jharkhand, and Dukha Bhagat were present at the meeting yesterday.

The meet deliberated on topics as varied as the Jharkhand movement, achievements of the A.B. Vajpayee Government at the Centre, the political situation in the country and the role of the BJP in Jharkhand in the future.

Contrary to speculation, there was no discussion on the issue of a candidate for the chief minister’s post for the new Jharkhand state. “The issue didn’t figure in the agenda. It was not even privately discussed,” BJP general secretary Govindacharya told The Indian Express. “We will discuss the matter when necessary,” he added.

No names were discussed nor were any claims made by any BJP leader. However, some BJP leaders said that their party being the largest constituent of the NDA would head the first government in the state.

BJP national vice-president Kailashpati Mishra, addressing party leaders and legislators from Jharkhand, called upon them to abstain from making claims and counter-claims in this regard.

Decisions on government formation and chief ministership would be taken by the central leadership which would be acceptable to all party leaders and legislators, he said.

Addressing a joint press conference after the conclusion of the meet, Thakre, Modi and Bhagat said that since the party was in for a reconstitution at the national level, it was decided not to set up a new party unit for Jharkhand and instead have an ad hoc arrangement till party elections were over by November-end.

According to this arrangement, the Vananchal Samiti headed by Bhagat will function as the party’s Jharkhand unit with Mishra, who is party’s in charge in Bihar and West Bengal, having additional responsibility to look after theJharkhand unit as well, Thakre said.

When asked to clarify whether the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha was a constituent of the NDA or just an associate, Thakre said the issue didn’t merit discussion. “I for one look upon the JMM as a party which cooperated with us in demolishing the Rabri Devi government in Bihar after the Assembly elections earlier this year,” the outgoing BJP president said.