‘Op Lotus’ fears loom over Cong. in J’khand
10 of its MLAS out of 16 are suspects, may switch allegiance
The Congress finds itself pushed into a corner in Jharkhand as apprehensions of an “Operation Lotus” loom large in the state.
Though the Congress is putting up a brave front, party insiders claim that almost 10 of its MLAS out of 16 are suspects and may switch allegiance. General secretary incharge of the Congress in Jharkhand Avinash Pande claims that there is no threat to the government and it is stable and safe but admits allurements and threats are being made to the state Congress MLAS.
The incumbent government in the state is an alliance between the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha JMM, Congress and the
RJD. In the 81-member Assembly, the majority mark is 41.
The JMM has 30 MLAS and the Congress has 16, while the RJD has 1. Out of the 16 Congress MLAS, three are in jail in West Bengal as they were found in possession of a “large amount” of cash allegedly to switch sides.
In case, the number of suspect Congress MLAS goes up to 12, then the breakaway faction would reach the two-third mark to escape provisions of the anti-defection law.
The problem in the Jharkhand Congress started with the recently concluded presidential elections, where nine of its MLAS cross-voted in favour of the NDA candidate. Pande flew to Ranchi to assuage the miffed party legislators. He also held individual meetings with the now suspended three MLAS — Irfan Ansari, Rajesh Kachchap and Naman Bixal Kongari. However, a day after he returned, the three Congress MLAS were arrested in Bengal with “unaccounted” cash.
Interestingly, the party leaders know the names of the MLAS who cross-voted during the presidential elections but still can’t act against them immediately as it would make them go against the party and put the government in the state at risk.
“The party knows who all are trying to weaken the party and the government. We have full information appropriate action will be taken at the right time,” Pande said.
The party is trying to win over the MLAS by offering ministerships and chairmanships.
This might work for the time being, but in the long run it could create a problem.
To make matters worse, tension between the JMM and Congress has been brewing for the last couple of months. JMM leader Hemant Soren even after meeting the Congress president Sonia Gandhi did not leave a Rajya Sabha seat for the Congress. Also, the JMM broke ranks in the presidential elections and voted for the NDA candidate.
Meanwhile, the BJP has reacted strongly to the allegation made by the Bermo MLA Kumar Jaimangal, who lodged an FIR against the three arrested and now suspended legislators, that he was offered gratification along with a ministerial berth to topple the state government.