Even as UPA ally RJD was not ready to back JMM bid to capture power in Jharkhand, the Congress hopes that Lalu Prasad and Shibu Soren would bury their differences to avoid President's Rule in the State.
Sources said that Soren may call on senior Congress leaders in Delhi and, if the talks were positive, he could follow it up by meeting Lalu Prasad.
Since few MLAs, specially the nine Independents, who wield power in the State politics, are ready to risk a mid-term election, the hard posturing by Lalu is seen as a ploy to make Soren dance to his tunes.
For the record, the Congress on Monday again reiterated that it would back Soren's bid to become Chief Minister if he could manage the numbers.
"We are with Soren. If he gets the numbers, we will support him," Congress spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters.
On the course of action in Jharkhand after the Congress backed Koda Government has been reduced to a minority, Tewari said, "It is up to the Governor to take a decision."
The spokesman said it was an evolving political situation in Jharkhand and the party would deal with it.
In reply to a question on the promises made to Soren in lieu of support of JMM during the July 22 trust vote, Tewari claimed that no promises were made - either regarding Coal Ministry or chief ministership.
Answering a volley of questions on its alleged ambivalence and inability to take a position, Tewari said the Congress has taken its stand but cannot take a position on behalf of the RJD or the Independents.
Source: Pioneer News Servic 21/Aug/2008
