MANISH GUPTA
Ranchi, Aug 27: After creating a flutter in the state capital by leaving on three buses this afternoon, the team of more than 40 UPA MLAs returned to the state capital by evening after literally having a picnic at Latratu dam in Khunti, 40 kms from Ranchi.
“As planned we are returning to Ranchi. There is no truth in speculations about us going to Raipur. We plan to remain in the state. There were 45 MLAs in the buses,” Jharkhand Congress President Rajesh Thakur told lagatar24.com over the phone.
Congress General Secretary and Jharkhand in-charge Avinash Pandey is in Ranchi to hold a meeting with the Congress legislators. The meeting, which will be held at State Guest House at 8:30pm, will discuss on the situation and plan out a strategy.
JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya informed that the UPA MLAs will hold a meeting at the Chief Minister’s house later this evening. The team of UPA MLAs had left the city this afternoon and it was speculated that they will remain out of Ranchi.
Some of the MLAs went for a boat ride in Latratu dam including Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Various speculations were made about their onward journey to Chhattisgarh but Congress Health Minister Banna Gupta had told they will return by evening.
Taking a dig at BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, Banna Gupta said, “The BJP MP wanted us to go to Chhattisgarh so we thought we should at least visit neighbouring district Khunti. As for the stability of the alliance, the ruling government is completely intact.”
It may be noted that the Election Commission had sent its report on the “office-of-profit” case regarding the Chief Minister allotting himself a stone mine lease while in office to Governor Ramesh Bais on Thursday. It may disqualify the Chief Minister.
However, the Governor has remained silent on the issue for the third consecutive day today fuelling various rumours and tension among the ruling alliance. The UPA MLAs have requested the Governor to announce the decision soon and end various theories doing rounds.
