Shibu becomes sixth CM of J'khand

Ranchi, Aug 27 (UNI) JMM president Shibu Soren was today sworn in as the sixth Chief Minister of Jharkhand after nearly three-and-half years of wait.

Governor Syed Sibtey Razi administered the oath of office to Mr Soren and eleven of his cabinet colleagues at the historic Morabadi ground here.

The ministers who took oath were Stephen Marandi (Ind), Sudhir Mahto (JMM), Kamlesh Kumar Singh (NCP), Anosh Ekka (Ind), Hari Narayan Rai (Ind), Joba Majhi (Ind), Nalin Soren (JMM), Bandhu Tirkey (Ind), Aparna Sengupta (FB), Dulal Bhuiya (JMM), Bhanu Pratap Sahi (Ind).

Today's development ended the more than weeklong political drama that began with the withdrawal of support by the JMM to the Madhu Koda-led UPA government on August 17 that finally forced the chief minister to resign on August 23.

On August 25, Mr Soren staked claim to form the government after submitting a list of 42-MLAs before governor Syed Sibtey Razi and made it a point to meet all the Independent MLAs individually who had been standing united with Mr Koda.

Significantly, the independents shifted allegiance to Mr Soren in exchange of their 12-point demand.

During his first stint as chief miister that lasted only for nine days, Guruji (Soren) had to step as he failed to obtain majority on March 11, 2005.

According to JMM sources, Mr Soren would go for floor test on September 1.

UNI PRS-AM KK RN1609