BJP firm on withdrawing support from Soren govt

New Delhi, Apr 29: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday said that it is firm on its decision to withdraw support from the Shibu Soren's Government in Jharkhand after he voted against the cut motion.

The BJP said there is no indication from the party's Parliamentary Board to reconsider decision on Soren.

Shibu Soren's son Hemant Soren had on Wednesday expressed his regret to the BJP for his father's error, asserting that the Chief Minister was ready to resign and urged the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to take a fresh initiative to form a government with a new leader.

Hemant said the state wasn't ready to face another poll.

"The JMM is ready to make a sacrifice for Guruji's (Soren's) mistake," he said.he BJP has, however, declined the offer made by Hemant Soren.

Asked whether Hemant's "offer" would prompt a rethink, senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said, "We can hear out the father and son. We are going to meet the governor tomorrow. But we will also discuss with the party's state unit and get a sense of what they feel."

"All this wisdom should have dawned on Hemant Soren before voting," said a BJP leader.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the BJP Parliamentary Board has met today under the leadership of Lal Krishna Advani and Sushma Swaraj to decide further proceedings.

The BJP leaders in Jharkhand as reported will meet the Governor only after a nod from the Central leadership.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led Government in Jharkhand was reduced to a minority on Wednesday after the BJP withdrew its support, as it was reportedly upset withy Soren for he voted with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government on the cut motion.

After the BJP's pullout, the ruling coalition has been reduced to 28 from 46 in a House of 81.

Soren was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand on Dec 30, 2009 for the third time.

He had formed the government with a five-party coalition.

Soren had secured the support of 44 MLAs in the 81-member House after the assembly elections in Jharkhand gave a fractured verdict.

The JMM had 18 seats, BJP had 18 seats, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) had two seats, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) had five seats and Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch (JJM) had one seat in the assembly.

The Congress has 18 seats in the assembly.

ANI