Hide Act: Soren bargains, keeps Govt guessing

GIMME MORE: Support from Soren's JMM - with its five MPs - is crucial for the Government.

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• Payback time: Soren wants Jharkhand CM's post
• Shibu Soren claims JMM stands united
• 4 party MPs tell Soren they won't vote with NDA

Keywords: Upa, Shibu Soren

New Delhi: CNN-IBN has managed to track down Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Chief Shibu Soren who went underground on Thursday after speculation of his supporting the Congress in the July 22 trust vote after being offered a Cabinet berth.

However, Soren remained non-committal about whom he will support. He told CNN-IBN the NDA has promised him the post of Jharkhand Chief Minister and he wants the UPA to do the same.

CNN-IBN: Did you get any proposal from NDA?

Soren: I saw it on TV

CNN-IBN: Madhu Koda (current Jharkhand CM) said he will sacrifice his post for you?

Soren: All right, I know.

CNN-IBN: Do you feel the UPA does not understand they hurt you?

Soren: They’ve understood.

Meanwhile, the UPA is getting desperate. With just four days to go for the trust vote, they are still short of at least a dozen MPs.

Hence, support from the JMM with its five MPs is crucial. UPA sources tell CNN-IBN the Congress core committee will meet on Friday evening to discuss Soren's latest demand.

But the Congress doesn’t have enough numbers to guarantee the Chief Ministership, whereas BJP plus JMM will have a clear majority in Jharkhand Assembly.

However, Congress spokesperson Veerappa Moily said that JMM has been a loyal supporter.

When we say we have the number how can BJP, LEFT and other parties say they have the number. Is poaching going on? Doesn’t it smell of horse-trading. Right from 2001 JMM has been our loyal supporter. Shibu Soren has become a cabinet minister twice. What’s the harm if he becomes a minister third time?” Moily asked.