JMM Soren likely to meet Sonia Gandhi today

NEW DELHI: In a last ditch effort to persuade the UPA leaders here to help him gather the magic number to form his government in Jharkhand, JMM chief Shibu Soren accompanied by all 17 MLAs of the party is reaching here today evening.

Highly placed sources in the party claimed that JMM has managed to secure support of all independents barring Chief Minister Madhu Koda and Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi.

"Besides party MLAs, some independents, too, might accompany Soren who will reach the national capital today evening," a senior party leader said.

Sources claim that the independent ministers apart from Marandi and Koda decided to throw their weight behind Soren in a meeting last night in Ranchi.

JMM General Secretary Hem Lal Murmu told PTI that the party has already solicited the support of independents.

The party is now banking on "active support" from Congress chief Sonia Gandhi for persuading others including the RJD chief Lalu Prasad to fully back Soren.

There is a realisation among senior JMM leaders that Prasad is not quite keen on backing Soren.

Regarding RJD's stand over the matter, Murmu however claimed that Prasad had before and after the trust vote assured JMM of RJD's backing on Soren's claim to Chief Ministership.

Murmu said JMM leaders had two meetings with Prasad in which the matter was discussed.

Interestingly, Prasad two days back denied that the UPA made any promise to make Soren the CM of Jharkhand.

JMM sources said Soren planned to meet Gandhi over the matter.


Source : Business Standard