Ranchi, Dec 25 (IANS) The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seem to be moving closer to each other in the scramble for allies in Jharkhand’s post-poll scenario.
JMM chief Shibu Soren arrived here Thursday night and said he would stake claim to form the government in the state and spoke about the BJP in a positive light.

“I never termed BJP a communal party. BJP is not a communal party,” he maintained.

When it waas pointed out that the BJP had, in the past, made statements against him, Soren quipped: “Who remembers the past?”

The BJP had stalled parliament in July 2004 when a 30-year-old arrest warrant pending against Soren surfaced.

A meeting of JMM legislators is scheduled later Friday, after which the party may formally seek support from the BJP. The BJP and JMM have 18 seats each, making it 36 together. The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has two seats, which could take the tally to 38.

According to informed sources, the JMM has started talks with Independents and the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), which has five seats in the state assembly.

The AJSU has, however, kept its options open. According to sources, it wants key portfolios, including the deputy chief minister’s post for party president Sudesh Mahto.

The BJP says it is waiting and watching.

“We are in a wait and watch position. We will not initiate the government formation process,” Jharkhand BJP president Raghubar das told IANS.

Asked about JMM approaching the party for support, he said: “If JMM approaches us for support then we will apprise the central party leaders. They will take a decision.”