Even Art 356 may not break deadlock

The Congress is trying to get its act together in Bihar and Jharkhand. In Bihar, the goal is a brief President’s Rule followed by effor...

The Congress is trying to get its act together in Bihar and Jharkhand. In Bihar, the goal is a brief President’s Rule followed by efforts to cobble up a coalition. In Jharkhand, the party’s strategy is to prop up a broad alliance to upstage the BJP-JD(U) combine and form a government.

Notwithstanding its dismal performance — 10 seats in a House of 81 — in Jharkhand, the high command feels that power is still within striking distance. Considering the difficult task ahead, Sonia Gandhi has picked a strong team — comprising Union Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi — for the mission. As central observers, they have been tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the election of CLP leader and formulating a strategy for government formation.

Dasmunsi and Jogi will be assisted by CWC member in-charge of the state Harikesh Bahadur and AICC secretary R.P.N. Singh. Party spokesperson Anand Sharma claimed here today that the proposed coalition would be backed by RJD, NCP and Left parties.

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The situation in Bihar is complicated, but the Congress is hopeful. Despite a low tally, Sonia has a pivotal role to play there. Everyone, from RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav to LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and the Left, is looking up to her to come up with a formula to bail them out. Both Laloo and Paswan are expected to meet her tomorrow.

Sources say the party is relieved to see a reversal of balance in its ties with the RJD. They believe now Laloo would need the Congress more for his survival. Also, Laloo’s failure to mention Sonia’s name even once in his budget speech has not gone down well with the Congress, and the party would be on the lookout for an opportunity to cut him to size.

Meanwhile in Ranchi, CM Arjun Munda was re-elected the CLP leader, while Rajnath Singh led a delegation to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, staking claim to form the government.

‘‘We told him (Razi) that the BJP-JD(U) had a pre poll alliance…We should be invited to form the government,’’ said Rajnath, accompanied by JD(U)’s state president Inder Singh Namdhari.

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Soon after, another delegation led by Congress state in-charge Harikesh Bahadur met Razi. The Governor has asked both sides to return with their list of MLAs.

(With Manoj Prasad in Ranchi)