Desperate CM may nominate MLA

Only two days after it was announced, the UPA today cancelled its six-day agitation 8212; Jharkhand Sampradikta Mukt Andolan 8212; for whi...

Only two days after it was announced, the UPA today cancelled its six-day agitation 8212; Jharkhand Sampradikta Mukt Andolan 8212; for which it had planned to bring thousands of supporters to the city on the eve of the March 15 confidence vote. The move came a day after the NDA led by Arjun Munda described the agitation as part of the UPA8217;s design to terrorise people and its MLAs.

Congress state unit president Sushila Kerketta, on behalf of the UPA, told mediapersons today that the Andolan had been cancelled. Citing the reason for the move, Kerketta said: 8216;8216;Schoolchildren have to appear in exams. So the party high command decided not to go for it.8217;8217;

Meanwhile, desperate to raise the UPA8217;s strength in the Assembly ahead of the confidence vote scheduled for next Tuesday, Chief Minister Shibu Soren has convened a meeting of the State Cabinet tomorrow, where he is likely to recommend nomination of one of three Anglo-Indians whose names figured in a list prepared last evening. The three are Peter Lake, a resident of Jamshedpur; B.J. Rodrigues, principal, Vikas Vidyalaya, Ranchi; and A.G. De Rozario, proprietor of Don Bosco School, McLuskieganj, who was a nominated MLA in the erstwhile Bihar Assembly.

The matter was discussed at a Cabinet meeting last evening, but in the absence of their credentials, a final decision could not be taken.

The UPA believes that if one of the three is nominated as a member of the House, its strength is likely to increase, which would either make it sail through the vote of confidence or enable it to reach the same number as the NDA commands till now.

Besides, in the eventuality of a tie, Governor Syed Sibtey Razi would not only be able to save himself, but also have a say in deciding on the imposition of Central rule in the state.

However, the NDA has geared up to challenge any such recommendation of the State Cabinet. 8216;8216;This proves that the ruling UPA is out to bungle the mandate by means of fraud and proclaim Central rule in the state. We are going to take stock of the situation and chalk out our future course of action,8217;8217; said BJP state unit spokesperson U.S. Kedia.