Shibu Soren resigns as CM
Ranchi, Jan 12: Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who had lost the assembly by-elections, resigned on Monday, Jan 12, paving the way for Champai Soren, another stalwart of the regional Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
Soren told reporters reporters on Sunday, Jan 11: "The JMM had met thrice and chose Champai Soren as its representative. We have sent this information to other members of our coalition in New Delhi and waiting for response. I am ready to resign.
"On Champai selection, RJD chief Lalu Yadav said the UPA will take a final decision. Both Congress and the RJD have been pressing Soren to quit immediately before deciding on his replacement. Meanwhile, Champai Soren, who has been elected by the party as its representative, said that he is willing to serve the state.
"I
will
keep
the
confidence
of
my
party
by
performing
my
duties
well
and
by
serving
the
state
and
public
as
well,"
said
Champai.
Soren,
who
took
over
reigns
of
Jharkhand
in
August
2007
and
under
a
constitutional
obligation,
was
required
to
win
an
assembly
poll
within
six
months
to
remain
the
Chief
Minister
of
the
state.
He
lost
the
Tamar
assembly
election
to
his
main
opponent,
Raja
Peter
who
was
a
nominee
of
the
National
Democratic
Alliance
(NDA).
Raja
Peter
of
the
regional
Jharkhand
Party
(an
ally
of
NDA)
defeated
Soren
by
the
margin
of
9,062
votes.
Soren was sworn in as the sixth Chief Minister of Jharkhand on August 27, 2008 and won a trust vote in the Legislative Assembly on August 29, 2008. He previously represented the Dumka constituency of Jharkhand in the 14th Lok Sabha and is the President of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a constituent of the UPA. Soren also served as the Minister for Coal in the Union Cabinet before becoming the Chief Minister.
ANI