This Article is From Jun 01, 2010

Cabinet approves President's Rule in Jharkhand

Ranchi:
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The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs met in the Capital on Tuesday and approved President's Rule in Jharkhand after accepting Governor MOH Farook's report on the political situation.

Farook had submitted his report to the Home Ministry on Monday, after meeting with leaders of major political parties in the state.

Jharkhand, which has rarely seen sustained stability and governance in the last decade, was plunged into yet another political crisis after Chief Minister Shibu Soren resigned on Sunday, unable to make up the numbers for a majority to face a test of strength.

This came after protracted and complicated negotiations with his political ally in the state, the BJP, came to naught. The BJP, angry with Soren for voting against it on Cut Motions in Parliament, had first said it would withdraw support in Jharkhand and then later, tempted by an opportunity to head the state government, agreed to talk again.   

But Soren clung hard to the Chief Minister's post only to have to give it up a day before he was to prove his majority. His government was reduced to a minority when the BJP finally withdrew support on May 24.

The BJP had sought some more time from the Governor on Monday, but seats were split so evenly in the 81-seat Assembly, that no party seemed in a position to form an alternate government. The Congress had already said it shall not attempt to do so at this time.

Elections in Jharkhand were held only five months ago and the JMM, with 18 seats, was propped up to lead government with support from the BJP (18 MLAs), the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) with five MLAs and the two MLAs of the Janata Dal-United.

The Congress has 14 seats, its pre-poll partner the JVM-P has 11 and the Rashtriya Janata Dal has five. There also are five Independents.
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