State Bureau, Ranchi: Amid the ongoing developments regarding the formation of Hemant Soren’s cabinet, there is good news for the Congress party as four of its MLAs now have a strong chance of becoming ministers. This has become possible due to the decision by the CPI(ML), whose central leadership has decided not to accept any ministerial position.
This decision has raised Congress’s hopes. Earlier, JMM had indicated that the formula for ministerial positions would be based on five MLAs per minister. According to this formula, Congress would have received only three ministerial posts, but under the new circumstances, the possibility of getting four ministerial posts seems likely.
Congress has 16 MLAs
After becoming the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for the fourth time, Hemant Soren is now preparing to form his cabinet. Based on the higher number of seats won by the JMM in the election, some JMM leaders argued that the party should get more ministerial posts. In the state, Congress has 16 MLAs, while JMM has 34 (more than double). This gives JMM a significant basis for demanding a larger share of ministers. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has emerged stronger, and several JMM leaders are openly opposing the idea of allocating four ministerial posts to Congress.
Congress had four ministers with 16 MLAs last time as well
In the previous government, Congress had 16 MLAs and four ministers. This time too, Congress has 16 MLAs, but there is ambiguity regarding the ministerial positions. Several JMM leaders are pressuring for a reduction in the number of ministers from the Congress quota. On this issue, Congress has taken a clear stance, stating that any decision will be made at the central level. The central leadership has also assured the local leadership about securing four ministerial positions.
In the new Jharkhand government, RJD is once again expected to get only one ministerial post.
Potato politics: Marandi urges the government to talk to Mamata Banerjee
Meanwhile, the halting of potato supplies from Bengal has sparked a political debate. BJP state president Babulal Marandi on Saturday suggested that the state government initiate talks on the matter. He wrote on X:
“The decision to stop trucks carrying potatoes to Jharkhand has increased worries about inflation in daily life. Hundreds of trucks carrying potatoes from Bengal to Jharkhand are being sent back. Vegetable markets here are left with only a few days’ stock.”
Marandi further wrote that due to reduced supply, potato prices are skyrocketing, and the common people are finding it hard to include potatoes in their meals. He appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to immediately talk to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to resolve this issue and ensure adequate supply of potatoes in Jharkhand, thereby providing relief to the people from rising prices.
