Alternate govt can be formed in J'khand: Lalu

New Delhi, Jan 19: Though the Union Cabinet has decided to impose President"s rule in Jharkhand, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday, Jan 19, said that an alternate Govt could still be formed.

When asked about the possibility of fresh elections in the state, Prasad diplomatically answered that President"s rule is not a solution. On whether the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), having the maximum number of MLA"S among the UPA, should be given an opportunity to form a Government, he said "nobody can form a govt with just 17 MLAs. We made Soren Chief Minister twice. The situation is, however, not the same now."

"I was against the formation of Jharkhand state. Now when the state has been formed, nobody is able to run the government. There are many parties with just one or two MLAs in the House," he said. He claimed that the Jharkhand was better managed during the undivided Bihar regime, but quickly added that there is no point in crying over split milk. Yadav also said that neither he nor Shibhu Soren had the authority to decide who would be the next Chief Minister.

On being asked what action his party would take in the near future, he said fresh polls is the only solution. He expressed his disappointment over Soren"s defeat in the Tamar by poll saying that he should not have fought from a constituency, where he had a weak base.

He, however refused to comment on Madhu Koda"s leadership skills and prospects. Meanwhile, the National General Secretary of the JMM Suman Mahato said that all options are open and believed that all three constituents- JMM, RJD and Congress will sit together and find a way to form an alternative government.

ANI