Describing the recent political crisis as unfortunate, AJSU chief and deputy CM Sudesh Mahto said the final decision on the party’s stand will be taken at a meeting of its central committee and senior leaders on May 28.

Mahto, however, did not name any alliance or party but hinted at coming closer to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and said that if there was any proposal of joining the ruling alliance, the party will certainly take that up at its May 28 meet.

“We as an alliance partner of the four-month-old government tried to broker peace between Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Bharatiya Janta Party. Unfortunately, nothing fruitful came off it,” said Mahto.

He, however, denied that Congress, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) or any other party has contacted them to join their possible alliance with JMM.

In the numbers game, AJSU support could be needed by the alliance led by JMM (18) and supported by Congress (14), if it forms government minus pre-poll partner JVM-P (11) but with the support of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) that has five MLAs in the current Assembly.

Mahto said Monday’s meeting was preplanned and had nothing to do with the prevailing crisis, which emerged after BJP withdrew support from the JMM-led government on Monday afternoon.

“Our meeting was held to chalk out a strategy for our upcoming mega event, the silver jubilee celebrations of the party, to be held at the Morahabadi ground on June 22. “We have enrolled 5 lakh new members and our target is 10 lakh,” said the AJSU chief.

RANCHI: Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren was asked to prove his majority on the floor of the assembly by May 31, after BJP withdrew support to his five-month-old government on Monday. Mr Soren was summoned by governor M O H Farooq after BJP leader and deputy chief minister Raghuvar Das handed over a letter withdrawing his party’s support to the government.

BJP, which was in a fix following Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief and chief minister Shibu Soren’s frequent change of stand over support to a BJP-led government, has finally decided to part ways with JMM.

Although JMM is yet to react officially to the development, the party has convened an urgent meeting of its MLAs at the chief minister’s residence to decide whether the party wants an alternate government or is ready to invite President’s Rule. JMM, with 18 MLAs, in a House of 81, holds the key to government formation — whether NDA or UPA.

Soon after the withdrawal, Congress, which was so far in a ‘wait and watch’ situation, has swung into action to facilitate the formation of an alternate, ‘secular’ government, led by Babulal Marandi’s Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM), an UPA constituent, and comprising Congress and JMM. The party hopes that JMM will come to the UPA fold after getting raw deal from BJP. According to a Congress source, besides participation in the government, Congress is ready to accommodate Guruji in the Union Cabinet.

Despite Congress and JVM’s willingness to form an alternate government, observers believe JMM’s approach will be crucial. Whether JMM would accept the leadership of Mr Marandi is a million-dollar question, said a Congress source. In such a scenario, UPA will not be in a position to form the government and there will be no other option but to impose President’s Rule. Interestingly, the state was under President’s Rule for about 11 months last year.

Speaking to ET, AICC incharge of Jharkhand K Keshava Rao said: “Now that BJP has severed its ties with JMM, we will definitely ponder over it (the issue of alternate government formation). As a democrat, we would like to avoid President’s Rule.” Asked whether Congress would like to form an UPA government, Mr Rao said: “Everything is possible. Let us think about it.” Notably, Congress (14) and JVM (11) and JMM (18) together makes 43, two more than required for majority to form the government. Congress also expects to get support from many Independents, who will be ‘more than willing’ to support an UPA government.

JVM leader Babulal Marandi, who was so far averse to the idea of joining hands with its political rival JMM, has indicated that he has no hesitation in taking Gurjui’s support. “We are ready to form government. But I would not like any kind of horse-trading in the process,” he said. According to a source, Congress is trying for an alternate, ‘secular’ government led by Babulal Marandi. “As per the plan, JVM will have two ministers besides Mr Marandi himself, five ministers from JMM and four ministers from Congress. As per rule, the size of the ministry in Jharkhand cannot be more than 12. One minister from JMM and Congress each can be given the status of deputy CM,” said the source.

A section within JMM still wants to remain with BJP. This section, led by Hemant Soren, is said to be impressing upon Guruji to resign and pave way for the formation of a BJP-led government, as per the deal struck earlier. “If Hemant succeeds, a BJP-led government can still be a possibility,” said the source.

“Acting on a tip-off that Maoist cadre have gathered in Dhibra village, a team of police and CRPF men raided the area and an encounter began following which Maoist cadre were arrested,” Superintendent of Police A B Homkar said.

Four rifles looted from the police, a carbine, 200 rounds of cartridges, a walkie-talkie and a large quantity of Maoist literature and uniforms were seized from them, he said.

The Maoist guerrillas began to shoot the team of securitymen and an encounter ensued, the police said.

One Maoist cadre was injured in the gunfight, Homkar said.

In a separate incident, West Singhbhum district police arrested two persons with 85 gelatine sticks.

power sharing alliance, I knew it would not last long. Divorce has come earlier than expectation. I fixed the convention, as I don’t want to lose time to prepare for polls, Marandi said urging party workers to go with renewed vigour to the people.”

Marandi who had attacked Congress a few days ago for its reticence on current political crisis, however, spared it in his address but blamed ruling regimes with inside or outside support in the last 7-8 years barring his own regime.

Chief Minister Shibu Soren, while talking to reporters at Bokaro on Thursday, said that he would not resign from the post of Chief Minister in favour of Arjun Munda to form BJP led government in Jharkhand. Soren said that he would contest election to become a MLA. He refused to work on a rotational formula as per agreement made between JMM and BJP some days ago. According to the agreement Soren had to resign on May 25 in favour of BJP. Some JMM MLAs have reportedly reached Delhi to negotiate with other parties to form new government with Shibu Soren as CM. Now the BJP has no alternative left but to withdraw support from Shibu Soren. It is stipulated that President Rule may be imposed without dissolving the Assembly.

Siliguri, WB: Tension ran high in Darjeeling town on Friday after All India Gorkha League president and Gorkhaland proponent Madan Tamang was killed by some unidentified assailants while he was supervising a public meeting.

The incident took place near Planters’ Club this morning while Tamang was supervising the arrangements for a meeting to be held later in the day. As per reports, Tamang sustained serious injuries after being attacked with sharp weapons by a group of unidentified assailants, who fled the spot immediately after the incident.

Confirming the attack on Taman, Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) K L Tamta told reporters, “Tamang was attacked near Planters’ Club this morning. Miscreants hit him with kukris and swords, wounding him on the shoulder and stomach.”

Tamang recently opposed GJM’s stand on a interim set-up for Darjeeling hills and demanded Gorkhaland instead. Tamta said AIGL initially decided to hold the meeting at Darjeeling Chowrasta but later shifted the venue due to opposition from GJM.

Immediately after the attack on Tamang, shops and markets closed down, police said.

PTI

RAJAHMUNDRY (ANDHRA): Normal life has been badly affected in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district due to heavy rains and strong winds caused by cyclone `Laila’.

At least eight persons were killed as heavy rains accompanied by fierce winds battered the coastal districts of the state on Wednesday ahead of cyclone Laila which continued its collision course with the Andhra coastline and is now set to make a landfall close to Machilipatnam in the late afternoon or evening of Thursday.

Air, train and bus services were thrown out of gear in the East Godavari district. A Rajahmundry-Hyderabad Kingfisher flight returned to the Andhra Pradesh capital without landing here today in view of inclement weather conditions, officials said. Several air passengers have cancelled their tickets for the next two days, airline sources said.

A number of trains passing through the district are running late due to submergence of rail tracks at several places. Road traffic has been disrupted due to uprooting of trees and electric poles.

The coastal district experienced heavy rains last evening, but there was some relief as downpour stopped this morning. Several areas were plunged into darkness and communication systems snapped.

Collector M Ravichandra said the cyclonic storm was likely to cross Kakinada at 1800 hrs. He said the situation is being monitored regularly and all precautionary steps have been taken to deal with any eventuality.

The government has appointed a Special Officer, J S V Prasad, to coordinate with the district administration in relief and rescue operations.

By Wednesday night, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur experienced heavy rainfall and the inclement weather was spreading to Nellore, Prakasam and Visakhapatnam districts. Three persons were electrocuted in Krishna district while five persons were killed due to different incidents caused by the rains and accompanying winds in the other coastal districts since Wednesday evening.

The cyclone is slated to generate wind up to a speed of 125 kmph and a heavy rainfall of up to 25 cms or more in the coastal region over the next 36 hours. Because of the gales and a storm surge of up to two metres above the regular tide, low-lying areas in the coastal districts will get inundated, electric poles uprooted, power and communication lines snapped, thatched huts washed away, trees uprooted and escape routes flooded, the met office said.

Nearly 30,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas in the coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Evacuation of people from low-lying areas in all the nine coastal districts began on Wednesday evening and a major relief camp set up in Machilipatnam. As many as 770 villages in these districts are likely to bear the brunt of heavy rains. People have been advised to keep important documents and valuables ready and be ready to move to shelters at short notice.

The state government has directed the army to be on standby. Relief teams armed with rescue and relief material, helicopters and boats are ready to be pressed into service. South Central Railway (SCR) and RTC authorities have set up special teams to monitor the damage caused by the cyclone to their properties and take effective preventive and remedial steps.

After reviewing the situation here on Wednesday, revenue minister Dharmana Prasada Rao said the effect of cyclone Laila in the state in the form of rains will remain for another six days. The speed of the gales is expected to intensify to about 140 kmph on Friday and drop to about 105 kmph by Saturday.

The Met office said that the sea condition will be ‘phenomenal’ along and off the AP coast during the next 36 hours and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. After the cabinet meeting, chief minister K Rosaiah directed the coastal district ministers to rush to their respective areas and oversee rescue and relief operations. Nine IAS officers were also posted as special officers to the 9 coastal districts to execute the operations.

Meanwhile, the Centre is rushing over 400 personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh to meet any exigencies arising out of cyclone Laila. A total of 438 personnel of NDRF along with 64 inflatable boats and search and rescue equipment are being sent to the state. They will be deployed in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Machilipatnam, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore.

PATNA: At least 15 diesel tankers caught fire when suspected Maoists derailed a goods train by blasting the railway track and then set afire one of the tankers in Bihar’s Motihari district, a railway official said on Thursday.

The Maoists targeted the diesel tankers on the goods train between Jeevdhara and Pipra railway stations in Motihari, about 200 km from Patna.

“The goods train driver and guard informed us that suspected Maoists set afire an oil tanker. After that fire spread to other tankers,” east central railway chief public relation officer Dilip Kumar said over telephone.

A local police official said that the fire was still raging.

“The fire is massive and we will have to wait for the fuel to burn out,” he said.

Meanwhile, train services have been disrupted in north Bihar as the main track has been blocked, sources in the railways said.

New Delhi: Two days after the shocking Naxal attack on a bus in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Raman Singh on Wednesday said that the Maoists are no less than terrorists and pose a grave threat to the country.

Speaking at a press conference in the national capital, Singh said, “The recent attack in Dantewada has exposed the real face of the Naxals. The Naxal attack on civilians has been strongly condemned by each and every one. The incident has had a nation-wide effect and we have full support from Centre in tackling this issue.”

“They claim to bring a revolution with the help of bullets and they have nothing to do with the democracy and are the biggest threat to the internal security today. This is not the problem of one state or some states; instead it is the problem of entire nation for which all will have to come forward to tackle it,” he added.

Equating Naxals with terrorists, he pointed out, “Who else can be termed as terrorists. They are the biggest terrorists….Naxalism is a biggest challenge to democracy. They want to capture power at gunpoint. They are killing innocent people indiscriminately, they are damaging public property, they are hampering development of the people they claim to represent, they have recently massacred 76 CRPF troopers so why can’t be they treated as terrorists. I want to ask if they are not terrorists then who are.”

“It is the worst form of terrorism. One thousand civilians have been killed in the last 10 years. Killing civilians, attacking public transport, attacking school buses, punishing people and beating them up in ‘jan adalats’. What is this? Isn’t it terrorism? They are spreading terror,” he said about the guerrillas who are entrenched in parts of central and eastern India.

‘Jan Adalats’ (Peoples’s Courts) are kangaroo courts run by Maoists in their strongholds including in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region.

Raman Singh stressed that there cannot be a “soft line” to deal with Maoists but disfavoured use of air power to combat the menace.

Attributing the recent spur in the Naxal violence to frontal operations by the security forces in the state, Singh favoured a long-term action joint action plan with the Centre to tackle the problem.

Singh also categorically ruled out any differences with Centre government led by Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram on tackling the Naxal menace.

Singh is in the capital to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia two days after the Naxal attack in Dantewada left 35 people dead including 14 SPOs.

Giving details of Naxal activities in the last 10 years in Chhattisgarh, he said the ultras have killed more than 1000 civilians and more than 650 policemen besides blowing up 132 electric towers, 106 school buildings and three hospitals in the state.

The chief minister, however, stated that his govt will continue its fight against Naxals and these incidents will not deter it from achieving its objective.

“There cannot be a softline (towards Naxals)…What have we achieved in the last 60 years by adopting a softline?” he asked.

When quizzed about using Air Force or Army, he disfavoured use of air power, saying “it is not possible to go for bombing in those areas which are covered by dense forest. The army helicopter can be used only for rescue and relief operations.” Raman Singh arrived here yesterday on a two-day visit and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later today.

While Singh’s meeting with Ahluwalia is scheduled for finalising the state’s annual plan for 2010-11, his meeting with the PM was fixed after Monday’s brazen Maoist attack in Dantewada where a bus carrying civilians as well as a group of special police officers was blown up by them, killing 35 persons.

The Chief Minister is also expected to meet Home Minister P Chidambaram during his visit.

In a series of deadly attacks this year, Maoists massacred 76 security personnel on April 6 in Dantewada, blew up a bulletproof vehicle on May 8 killing eight CRPF men and yesterday attacked a bus carrying civilians and security men, claiming 35 lives.

Baghdad: A senior al-Qaeda militant had been planning an attack against the football World Cup which kicks off in South Africa next month, an Iraqi security spokesman said.

The 30-year-old Saudi national, who was arrested two weeks ago, had been in contact with al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri as part of his planning for the attack, though no further details were made available.

Abdullah Azzam Saleh Misfar al-Qahtani “participated in the planning of a terrorist act in South Africa during the World Cup,” Baghdad security spokesman Major General Qassim Atta said at a news conference in the Iraqi capital.

He added that Qahtani, who was in charge of “security” for the terror network in Baghdad, was in contact “with the terrorist Ayman al-Zawahiri to organise the plan hatched by al-Qaeda.”

Zawahiri is al-Qaeda’s number two and deputy to Osama bin Laden.

Atta declined to give further details on the plan or comment on how the information was obtained.

In Johannesburg, South African police said they were making inquiries about the reported threat from Iraq.

“The South African police are still working on getting confirmation,” Nonkululeko Mbatha, spokeswoman for the national police chief, told reporters.

“I don’t know anything about that. We’ve not been consulted or informed,” police spokesman Vish Naidoo told reporters.

“We must phone Iraq. That’s the next step,” he said.

National police chief Bheki Cele said last week that he knew of no security threat to the World Cup, the world’s biggest sporting event which starts on June 11.

Atta said Qahtani, who adopted the nom de guerre “Sinan al-Saudi,” held a degree in business administration and also graduated from King Fahd Security College with the rank of lieutenant.

He entered Iraq in 2004, shortly after the US-led invasion to oust Saddam Hussein, and was involved in operations in the towns of al-Qaim and Husayba near Iraq’s border with Syria.

According to Atta, Qahtani was apprehended by the US military in 2007 under the false name Muzawar al-Shammari, and was released last year.

More recently, he participated in the planning of a series of co-ordinated attacks against Baghdad hotels in January which killed 36 people, and in the organisation of five vehicle-borne bombs that killed 127 people in the capital in December.

Atta added another member of al-Qaeda had been arrested. Algerian national Tareq Hassel Abdul Qader was the network’s military chief for Karkh, Baghdad’s western district.

The security spokesman said Abdul Qader also helped plan several attacks in Iraq, but did not say whether he was involved in the organisation of the potential World Cup attack.

In January in Davos, South African President Jacob Zuma said his country was prepared to provide security for the month-long tournament which is forecast to draw more than 370,000 foreign fans.

Bureau Report