BJP withdraws support to JMM

Honeymoon over: Chief Minister Soren tight-lipped

The development came a day after Chief Minister Shibu Soren, a Lok Sabha MP from Dumka, who was known to be hobnobbing with Congress, voted against the cut motion in Lok Sabha–which his party JMM later attributed to the “human error” on the part of the CM. But, the BJP described it as an act of betrayal.

Earlier in the day, the BJP parliamentary board meeting decided to withdraw its support to the Soren government. A BJP delegation will call on Governor M O H Farooq at 11 am on Thursday and will formally hand over the letter of withdrawal of support.

Act of betrayal
“The manner in which Soren has voted against the cut motion moved by the Opposition is a betrayal of coalition dharma. JMM has ditched us and hence the party central leadership has taken a decision to withdraw its support,” said BJP State president Raghuvar Das, who is camping at New Delhi.

However, JMM is still hopeful that BJP would reconsider its stand. “Making an announcement of withdrawal of support is one thing and withdrawing the support is other. We hope BJP will reconsider its stand,” said Hemlal Murmu, JMM vice president and a minister in the Soren government. Chief Minister Soren who returned from New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon, however, remained tight-lipped.

Soren’s move is widely believed to be aimed at installing his son Hemant Soren as chief minister. He was required to become a member of the state Assembly within six months (June 29). So far, he has not been able to find a safe seat.

Meanwhile, political circles are abuzz with rumours that the JMM will join hands with the Congress. The Congress too has indicated a possible political realignment in the state. “Congress will not shrink away from its responsibility to provide a stable government in Jharkhand,” said K Keshav Rao, senior Congress leader and in-charge of Jharkhand affairs.

However, JVM-P chief Babulal Marandi said his party will decide its future course of action after the party’s April 28-29 meeting.
DH News Service