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Journalism of Courage
The shift of power in Ranchi is obvious. After a long time, the queue outside the house of JMM chief Shibu Soren, who returned from New Delhi on Wednesday, is much longer that outside Chief Minister Madhu Koda8217;s bungalow.
As the number of cars driving into Soren8217;s bungalow increased by the hour, the CM busied himself with routine work. Meanwhile, his Cabinet colleagues Bhanu Pratap Shahi, Enos Ekka, Chandra Prakash Choudhary, Kamlesh Singh and Deputy CM Stephen Marandi continued to hold parleys, meetings and phone calls. 8220;We have decided to face elections rather than accept Soren as CM,8221; said Marandi. 8220;In case JMM withdraws support, we will hand over a memorandum to the Governor opposing Guruji as CM,8221; said Dinkar Singh, a Marandi loyalist.
Though these Independent legislators are now putting their weight behind Koda, it is uncertain if they will remain united if the 17-member JMM decides to withdraw support to Koda. A JMM meeting is scheduled for August 17.
Insiders say Shahi, Ekka, Kamlesh and Choudhary along with ministers, also Independent MLAs, Hari Narain Rai, Joba Manjhi and Bandhu Tirkey were also in touch with Soren.
Meanwhile, Soren8217;s wife Rupi who arrived here from New Delhi around evening, met Marandi. The outcome of their meeting was not known, but it seems Soren is trying his best to win friends. He has also contacted CPI MP Bhuneshwar Mehta and Forward Bloc8217;s Devwart Biswas. The two Left parties have one MLA each supporting Koda. Soren is also eyeing JVM MLAs Ravinder Rai, Kunti Singh and Manohar Tekriwal. There also suggestions that he has offered the Dy CM8217;s post to Sudesh Mahato, another Independent MLA.
