Jharkhand Congress plans big ministerial rejig, may move for disqualification of 3 arrested MLAs
India Today
Most likely, Congress may move for the disqualification of the arrested MLAs. But what is new is that the party is further contemplating rejigging its quota of ministers to control the damage done.
The Jharkhand Congress is in the spotlight amid the political storm that has surfaced after the arrest of three party legislators by Bengal police with a huge amount of cash. The party seemed serious after the trio were arrested and a reported bid to topple the government was foiled. Party chief Rajesh Thakur himself accompanied legislators Anup Singh and Jaimangal Singh to the Agora police station to lodge a Zero FIR against the three MLAs.
Most likely, Congress may move for the disqualification of the arrested MLAs. But what is new is that the party is further contemplating rejigging its quota of ministers to control the damage done. It is seriously in a mood to change and drop three ministers out of the four very soon.
The four ministers from the Congress quota in the state are Alamgir Alam (Rural Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister), Badal Patralekh (Agriculture Minister), Banna Gupta (Health Minister), and Rameshwar Oran, the former PCC who was allotted the Finance and Food and Civil Supplies Ministry. Barring Alamgir Alam, speculations are rife that the other three ministers may be asked to step down.
However, none of the Congress ministers have confirmed on record about the likelihood of a reshuffle. But highly placed sources informed that the state's party in-charge Avinash Pandey, during his every visit and meeting, has been assessing the performance of ministers. It has been heard that the feedback about the ministers to the in-charge is not good. Many times, party workers and even the legislators have officially complained that their voices are not being paid heed to even by the minister inducted from the Congress quota. The party in-charge has learnt a resentment against ministers.
However, sources close to Congress ministers enjoying their proximity say the performance of the ministers so far has been fair. It would not be appropriate to drop them off at this juncture of time. It could further aggravate the issue and add to the woes.
The recent abortive bid to topple the Hemant Soren government has added a reason to induct new faces.
Also Read | Who are the Jharkhand Congress MLAs caught in Bengal cash haul
