Stalemate continues in Jharkhand

 JMM chief Shibu Soren resigned as chief minister on Sunday evening, leaving the ground open for political parties to cobble up the requisite support of 42 members needed to form a government in the state.  While the BJP preferred to maintain a studied silence over the formation of the next government, former chief minister Babulal Marandi’s Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (P) favoured the imposition of President’s rule after governor MOH Farook held meetings with political parties.

Emerging from his meeting with the governor, Marandi told reporters here that “no political parties are in a position to form a government at this juncture.  Therefore, the imposition of President’s rule is the other viable option in the given situation.

Since the JVM-P and Congress axis is the largest pre-poll coalition group, the alliance should be given the first opportunity, if the invitation came from Raj Bhavan to form the government,” Marandi said. On its part, the Congress state leadership has made it clear that the party would not stake its claim to form the government till it musters the requisite number. The Congress-JVM (P) axis together has 25 MLAs.

Meanwhile, the governor has sent his preliminary report, apprising the Centre of the situation that has arisen out of Soren’s resignation.