The tug-of-war over cabinet expansion continues in Congress

The ongoing tussle over cabinet expansion continues to overshadow the political landscape in Jharkhand, even as Hemant Soren is set to be sworn in as the 14th Chief Minister of the state on Thursday. While the ceremonial event will proceed as planned, sources within the JMM-led coalition have indicated that the cabinet expansion will be delayed. Hemant Soren, who is leading the coalition government, has reportedly decided to take the oath alone due to disagreements within the Congress party about who should be inducted into the cabinet.

The uncertainty within the Congress party has caused delays in finalizing its list of ministerial candidates and choosing a leader for the legislative party. According to Ghulam Ahmad Mir, the Congress’s state in-charge, the cabinet expansion will be addressed at a later date. The Congress has yet to reach a consensus on the names for ministerial positions, and it is also unclear whether their ally, CPI (Malay), will be joining the cabinet. To resolve these issues, a meeting has been scheduled for November 29, where a formula based on one ministerial post for every five MLAs is being considered.

The situation has added to the political tension within the ruling alliance, especially after Soren’s recent visit to Delhi to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. During this meeting, Soren and the Congress leadership discussed the allocation of ministerial posts, but no consensus was reached. Among those vying for the positions are several newly elected legislators, including Rameshwar Uraon, Shweta Singh, and Nishat Alam, who are reportedly camping in Delhi, lobbying for their share of the cabinet positions.

In the midst of these political discussions, Soren’s swearing-in ceremony is set to take place at Morhabadi Maidan in Ranchi at 4 pm. This marks the 49-year-old leader’s fourth term as Chief Minister of Jharkhand. His return to the Chief Minister’s office has been welcomed with great anticipation, but the internal tensions within the coalition remain unresolved, casting a shadow over the celebration. Despite these issues, the ceremony is expected to witness the attendance of several prominent political leaders from across the country.

Key figures from various political parties, including Congress, the NCP, Trinamool Congress, and the AAP, will be present at the event. Among those attending will be Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, along with NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. Other notable leaders such as Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray, Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav, and DMK’s Udhayanidhi Stalin are also expected to attend. Additionally, Maharashtra Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, and other regional figures will join the ceremony, marking the importance of this occasion.

Soren, who visited the Morhabadi Maidan on Wednesday evening to oversee the preparations for the swearing-in ceremony, expressed his pleasure at the presence of these respected leaders. “It is a pleasure to have such respected leaders with us on this important occasion,” Soren remarked. This highlights the significance of the event, which goes beyond just the swearing-in of a new Chief Minister and reflects the broader political landscape in Jharkhand.

As the state prepares for the official start of Soren’s fourth term, the continued delay in cabinet expansion points to ongoing challenges within the ruling alliance. The delay in cabinet formation may also impact the governance and the political stability of the state. The Congress party’s internal disagreements and its failure to finalize ministerial candidates suggest that the unity of the alliance could be tested in the coming days.

The upcoming meeting on November 29 may provide more clarity on the issue, but for now, the political uncertainty looms large over the state. The alliance’s ability to resolve its differences and finalize the cabinet will be crucial in determining the course of governance in Jharkhand in the near future. As political leaders from across India gather to witness Soren’s swearing-in, the situation in Jharkhand reflects the complex dynamics of coalition politics, where the stakes are high and the decisions made now will have far-reaching implications for the state’s governance.