BJP plans to form Jharkhand govt with JMM

Ranchi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday decided to call on the Governor and stake claim to form a government in Jharkhand with the support from its erstwhile partners Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU).

The Jharkhand state is now under President’s rule.

BJP leader Ajay Maroo said that they have decided to elect a new legislature party leader, who will seek an appointment with the Raj Bhavan to call on the governor and stake the claim.

BJP and JMM are together now and aiming to capture power within three months of their splitting following cross voting by JMM president Shibu Soren in Lok Sabha during cut motions in the Budget session in April brought by BJP and Left parties.

Arjun Munda is leading in the race for next chief minister after Raghuvar Das quit the post of BJP legislature party, said party spokesperson Sanjay Seth.

JMM leader Suprio Bhattacharaya said the party has decided to support the BJP’s effort to form the government and restore democracy in the state.

Shibhu Soren’s son and party leader Hemant Soren said they were open to support like-minded parties as elections might again throw a fractured mandate.

Meanwhile, many BJP legislators have gathered at the party headquarters after the party leader whipped for the same. They said since the JMM has pledged unconditional support to a new government the chances are bright for ending the President’s rule in the state.

AJSU’s vice-president Praveen Prabhakar also said his 5-member legislature party has extended full support to the BJP’s initiative.

BJP parliamentary board had on April 28 decided to withdraw support to the JMM government after Soren voted against the party-sponsored cut motion.

However, the decision was put on hold when JMM Legislature party leader and Soren’s son Hemant wrote a letter to BJP chief Nitin Gadkari pledging support to a BJP-led government.

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