Marandi coming to Delhi for talks with Congress leaders

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) chief Babulal Marandi is expected to arrive in the capital on Friday to meet with Congress leaders and discuss the possibility of forming the next government in Jharkhand.

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) chief Babulal Marandi is expected to arrive in the capital on Friday to meet with Congress leaders and discuss the possibility of forming the next government in Jharkhand.

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The Congress and JVM-P have together emerged as the single largest formation winning 25 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. However, the two parties are still looking at the political options in the state due to the split verdict.

Congress sources said that Marandi is scheduled to arrive in the capital on Friday.

With Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) winning 18 seats and insisting on the chief minister's post for party leader Shibu Soren in return for its support, the Congress is weighing its options.

Union Food Processing Industries Minister Subodh Kant Sahay Thursday almost signalled the unwillingness of the Congress to prop up Soren, saying the JMM leader should look at the situation "realistically". Sahay is also expected to join the process of talks in Delhi.

Congress leaders said they do not want to cut a sorry figure by supporting a government in Jharkhand that could prove unstable.

Congress leaders from Bihar have expressed reservations over the possibility of joining hands with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Jharkhand as it could lead to a demand from RJD chief Lalu Prasad for a reciprocity in assembly polls in their state.

Marandi is a contender for the post of chief minister and is expected to tell the Congress leaders his assessment of the political situation.