BJP set to form government in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Sep 7 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today decided to stake claim to form a government with the support of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the All Jharkhand Student's Union (AJSU) in Jharkhand, which is currently under President's rule.

"The party has decided to form a new government. Now, the BJP Legislature Party will elect a new leader after which we will seek an appointment from the Governor to stake claim," senior party leader Ajay Maroo said.

The JMM-BJP coalition government plunged into a political crisis after the BJP withdrew support to government in the wake of Shibu Soren voting in favour of the UPA during the cut motion in parliament on April 27.

The BJP first announced it would immediately withdraw support from the JMM-led government, which would have brought it down and effectively led to the imposition of President's Rule or attempts by the Congress to form an alternative government.

However, by April 29 when the party received a letter from Hemant Soren, offering to support the BJP in leading the coalition, the withdrawal of support was "put on hold" and a dialogue was opened.

The JMM backtracked and demanded rotational power sharing with each party leading the government for 28 months.

This was agreed to by BJP on the understanding that Soren will quit as Chief Minister by May 25 after which Munda will head the new coalition government.

The JMM and the BJP have 18 MLAs each and the Soren Government has the support of two Janata Dal (United) legislators and five from the AJSU, besides two others in the 82-member Assembly.

The Congress has 14 MLAs, Jharkhand Vikas Manch (JVM) has 11 MLAs and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has five MLAs. (ANI)