Shibu Soren is a secular leader: Congress

Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren was a "secular" leader who may have been "uncomfortable" with the BJP in the state, the Congress said today, a day after the JMM leader voted for the government on the cut motion moved by the Opposition parties.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren was a "secular" leader who may have been "uncomfortable" with the BJP in the state, the Congress said on Wednesday, a day after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader voted for the government on the cut motion moved by the opposition parties.

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Congress general secretary and Jharkhand in-charge Keshav Rao also added that the party has not given thought to supporting Soren in Jharkhand in case the Bharatiya Janata Party pulls out of the state government.

"The party high command will take a decision in this regard," Rao told reporters.

Rao also said that there was no blackmailing to persuade Soren to vote in favour of the government.

"Soren is still a UPA (United Progressive Alliance) member. Morally, he is bound to vote in favour of the central government," Rao said.

The BJP along with the Left and some other parties Tuesday moved cut motions in the Lok Sabha on the budget proposals of the government. However, the motions were defeated as the opposition parties were divided and the UPA government managed to muster the required numbers.