New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) Having wrested the initiative to form the next government in Jharkhand by emerging as the single largest grouping in the state assembly along with its ally Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P), the Congress was Wednesday weighing its options of forming the next government.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, which is likely to scrape through as the single largest party after the five-phased assembly polls Nov 25-Dec 18, has decided to “watch” the situation thrown up by a split verdict and strong performance of the Shibu Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

The Congress outlined the contours of the new government by stating that it will work for “stable and secular” government in the state.

It also sought to send a conciliatory message to Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad with its spokesman Manish Tiwari stating that RJD was part of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre. Congress had earlier spurned feelers from Lalu for an alliance in the elections.

The Congress is expected to take its time to decide the contentious issue of new chief minister and the party could insist on a programme of governance between the allies. An indication about this was given by party incharge of Jharkhand, K. Keshav Rao who said here that the party would insist on zero-tolerance to corruption in any future government.

JVM-P leader Babu Lal Marandi is also a Chief Ministerial aspirant.

Congress will also be keen on support from All Jharkhand Students Union to broadbase the alliance.

The BJP parliamentary board, which reviewed the Jharkhand results, authorised the new party president Nitin Gadkari to take a decision in view of the fluid political situation in the state. Leaders at the meeting, the first since the new president took over, appeared a little downcast as they were expecting better results in the state.

BJP leader Karuna Shukla, who is incharge of Jharkhand said that the party was “watching” the situation. “The results have been less than our expectations,” she said.