President’s rule was finally imposed in Jharkhand on Friday, a day after the Union Cabinet accepted Governor Syed Ahmed’s report recommending that the Assembly be kept in suspended animation.
Regional ally JMM had withdrawn support to the Arjun Munda government on January 8, reducing it to a minority. President Pranab Mukherji has signed the proclamation under Article 356(1) of the Constitution, imposing Centre’s rule for the third time, on a request from the Union Home Ministry, the government confirmed in a release on Friday. Former Director General of CRPF, Vijay Kumar and former Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta have been appointed advisers to the governor, the ministry stated.
The government’s move has invited mixed reactions. The JMM was disappointed, having lost an opportunity to instate either Shibu Shoren or his son Hemant as the chief minister. A miffed BJP said it will stage a dharna against the Cabinet decision.