JMM Demands Power-sharing on 50:50 Basis

Even as the BJP is busy deciding its chief ministerial candidate for Jharkhand, JMM has demanded power-sharing on 50:50 basis, said media reports.

Talking to reporters late last night after a three-hour long meeting of party MLAs chaired by chief minister Shibu Soren, his son Hemant said that the party would wait for BJP’s response to the sharing of power between the allies and would again discuss on the issue on May 12, depending on the ally’s stand, reports said.

“During the meeting with BJP President Nitin Gadkari and others, we proposed sharing of power for 28 months each. But now, we have learnt that BJP is willing to govern the state for a full term,” Hemant, JMM legislative party leader, was quoted as saying.

“For the sake of stability and development of the state, we gave the post of chief minister to BJP. And now, it is up to them to think over the issue of sharing power on 50-50 basis,” he was quoted as saying.

In response to a question whether Shibu Soren would step down, he said, “Let BJP choose its chief ministerial candidate and clear its stand on the 50-50 proposal.”

In the meeting, 14 out of a total of 18 party MLAs were present.

“JMM legislative party meeting also felt that BJP should choose a tribal leader for its chief ministerial candidate. Now, it is on BJP to ensure political stability in the interest of the state,” Hemant was quoted as saying.

He said that BJP should run the state for 28 months and make way for JMM to assume power thereafter, said reports.

He also said that his party had proposed five ministerial berths during selection of portfolios, reports said.

However, senior JMM MLA Simon Marandi said that two opposite views surfaced during the meeting, said reports.

“One group was against realignment with BJP and another favoured re-arrangement,” he was quoted as saying.

(Based on internet reports)