BJP not worried about Jharkhand's loss

New Delhi, Sept 15: A day after losing the Jharkhand government to UPA, the BJP appears not too much concerned about the loss, because it feels the prospects of the next government lasting long are not very bright right from the beginning.

Highly informed party sources admitted that the BJP did attempt to save its government till the last day by accomodating the MLAs who were willing to defect. "They (the legislators willing to defect) were particular about portfolio in return for their support and the party ultimately decided that even if the government is to survive, it would not last for longer than five to six months. The elections are just around the corner", a BJP leader, also a former Union Minister contended.

He said after the last Assembly elections in Bihar, the scenario was very similar and it was good that the then Governor Buta Singh chose to dissolve the House rather than allowing NDA leader Nitish Kumar to take over the reins. The situation there would be no different than Jharkhand if the NDA were to form the government on a razor thin margin, sources said. It was only in the re-election, the NDA emerged a clear winner and the coalition was able to provide a strong administration, sources added.

About Madhu Koda, an Independent heading the UPA coalition, sources said the fact that an atmosphere of jubiliation is absent in the Congress circles even after a victory shows that they too are not hopeful of the coalition lasting in the longer run. The Congress not joining the government is enough indication that they are expecting an election, BJP sources feel.

Sources said that the BJP deserters like former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi will not be able to go independently other than aligning with the UPA and also assert that he was offered a chance to lead the BJP-J D (U) coalition when the coalition had an opportunity to rule 18 months ago.

UNI

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