Jharkhand minister dismisses Cabinet shuffle 'rumours'

Jharkhand finance minister Rameshwar Oraon, who is on a trip to the national capital, has refuted media reports about any possible Cabinet reshuffle in the state.

New Delhi: Jharkhand finance minister Rameshwar Oraon, who is on a trip to the national capital, has refuted media reports about any possible Cabinet reshuffle in the state. Oraon, who met several stalwart leaders, clarified that the party's top leader has not directed him for any Cabinet reshuffle and added it is the Chief Minister who takes the decision over it.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, he said, "It is just a rumour in the media. I came here from Ranchi to provide the development report to the party leadership, not for any Cabinet expansion," said Oraon. Further, the finance minister, who also holds the post of President of Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee, said there is no written constitution in the party that states a person cannot hold the two-position simultaneously.

"Where is the law which states that a Congressman cannot hold two posts simultaneously. If there is any such law, it should be in the written format! Isn't?" added Oraon. Earlier, it was speculated that Oraon would resign from the party president post and someone else from the party would be given the charge. But, with his statement, it is clear that the party top leadership is not in the mood to elect some other leader.

"Party top leaders have faith in me. I am a true loyalist of the Congress. I am not the kind of Congressman who comes and goes. My grandparents were also a Congressman and I am the second generation to follow their path," said Oraon.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren is also on a trip to the national capital. It is speculated that the CM would meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi before returning to the state capital.