Key JMM ‘rethink’ meet today
RANCHI: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has called a meeting of its legislators and parliamentarians on Saturday to review its decision on presidential election and decide whether it wants to extend support to former Jharkhand governor Droupadi Murmu, the candidate of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) who filed her nomination on Friday.
JMM had earlier decided to back former union minister Yashwant Sinha, who is being supported by a number of opposition parties, barring a few.
Sources in JMM, a party that claims to champion the tribal cause, said the party is likely to support Murmu, who is a tribal.
“As per directions from party president Shibu Soren, a meeting has been convened of all party MLAs and MPs at 11 am on Saturday at his residence,” said JMM general secretary Vinod Pandey.
In the 81-member Jharkhand assembly, the ruling JMM has 30 legislators, of which 19 are from the scheduled tribes community. Besides, the party has one Lok Sabha and two Rajya Sabha members.
JMM’s ally Congress has 17 legislators, besides one Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha member each, from the state, while the third ruling partner RJD has one legislator.
The NCP and CPI (ML) have one member each in the assembly, which also has two Independents.
In the opposition camp, BJP has 25 legislators, 12 Lok Sabha members and three Rajya Sabha members from the state. One seat is vacant in Jharkhand assembly, by-election for which was held on Thursday.
Cong cancels Yashwant Sinha event
Meanwhile, the state unit of Congress cancelled an event of Yashwant Sinha at its state headquarters on Friday.
Sinha was to meet Congress legislators and parliamentarians.
“The meeting has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. It us likely be convened as per his programme after June 26,” said Jharkhand Congress spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan.
Party insiders said Sinha’s meeting has been cancelled in view of the JMM meeting. “Once in Ranchi, Sinha would have also tried to meet the chief minister. Now it seems that meeting would happen after the JMM announces its official decision,” said a Congress leader.