JMM legislators resent denial of cabinet berths

RANCHI - Four Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislators Saturday expressed anger at being denied berth in the Arjun Munda cabinet, a day after the state chief minister inducted nine more ministers in his team.

There was deep resentment among the legislators, one of whom vented his anger publically and even threatened to pull down the government.

“We will work against the government, if we get a chance we will also pull down the government,” senior JMM legislator Simon Marandi told reporters.

Another JMM legislator, Teklal Matho said: “The party is suffering from factionalism. We have not been given due place in the party despite being dedicated workers of the party for nearly four decades.”

Nalin Soren and Lobin Hembrom also expressed their unhappiness.

All the four legislators boycotted the cabinet expansion ceremony Friday at Raj Bhawan. Munda expanded his cabinet nearly a month after he assumed office.

In the 12-member cabinet, the total representation of the JMM is five, including Hemant Soreen, the deputy chief minister and son of party chief Shibu Soren. The state can have a maximum of 12 ministers, including the chief minister, under the statutory provisions.

Similarly, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) is also facing dissension. Sudha Chaudhary, who was a minister in the Shibu Soren government early this year, was unhappy at not being included in the cabinet. Gopal Krishna Patar alias Raja Peter was given a cabinet post in her place.

In Munda’s cabinet, the representation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has now gone up to four, including the chief minister. The All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) has two of its members as ministers while the JD-U has one.