Cong may pacify Laloo with a few Jharkhand seats

The Congress is likely to part with two or three seats for RJD in Jharkhand to placate Union Railways Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, officials sources said.

This move would mean a further cut in the Congress’s share of 33 seats. Jharkhand Assembly has 81 elected MLAs, besides one nominated member. The Congress and the JMM have left 13 seats for RJD and Left parties to share. Of these, nine are for RJD. The JMM share in the deal — 35 seats — is likely to stay intact, as Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said seat-adjustment with JMM ‘‘was final’’.

The fact that Laloo is negotiating with the Congress rather than the JMM implies that the onus for accommodating his demand is on the Congress. JMM chief Shibu Soren has already ruled out any reduction in his share.