I will consider, if CM post is offered: Soren

Ranchi, Jul 28 (UNI) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha president Shibu Soren today said he was expecting a cabinet reshuffle after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returns from the meeting in Sri Lanka, beginning August 2.

Mr Soren was understood to have bargained for a berth each in the Cabinet and MoS, besides some developmental issues relating to the state as ''return gift'' from the UPA government for his support to them in the recent crisis.

The JMM president, fondly called ''Guruji'' here, yesterday returned from New Delhi after playing a crucial role in saving the UPA government in the floor test on July 22.

Talking to reporters before leaving for his hometown Bokaro, he, however, did not rule out his being in the fray for the post of Chief Minister as well, if the UPA leadership assigned him to take the responsibility.

''If UPA leadership and people of Jharkhand wish, I may consider the offer,'' Mr Soren said.

The JMM leader's statement concerning the Chief Minister's post assumed significance in the wake of present incumbent Madhu Koda's political career as Mr Koda also was praised highly by the Congress central leadership for his ''remarkable effort'' to convince Mr Soren and his four other party MPs to back the UPA government in the hour of crisis.

The Congress, which had been harsh on the present Chief Minister in the past few months repeatedly threatening him ''either to perform or perish'' suddenly executed volte face and announced that it would not do anything to ''destabilise'' the ruling coalition in the state.

Mr Soren also said he would like to work in Jharkhand keeping Mr Koda guessing.

Party insiders were of the opinion that ''Guruji'' was not happy about the ''delay'' in cabinet reshuffle soon after the trust vote.

However, the Congress leadership in New Delhi already said the reshuffle would take sometime.

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