Himalayan News Service

Ranchi, March 6:

A Jharkhand legislator allied to the Forward Bloc has become incommunicado amid speculation he might prop up the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming trust vote in the assembly. Although the Forward Bloc is opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the missing legislator, Bhanupratap Dehati, may be having different ideas. As the Chief Minister Shibu Soren prepares for a vote of confidence on March 15 when every legislator will count, there is no trace of Dehati. Last night, Dehati said: “Till now I have not decided which alliance to support. I will back any alliance that assures development in my constituency.” Dehati’s close associates said he was planning to support the BJP-led NDA. The NDA already has the support of 41 legislators in the 81-member state assembly. The UPA has assured backing from 38 legislators.