Shibu Soren stakes claim to form Jharkhand government

Mangalore Today

RANCHI: Dec. 26: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Shibu Soren on Saturday staked claim to form a new government in Jharkhand. He handed over to the governor a list of 43 legislators supporting him in the 81-member assembly.

Soren met Governor K Shankaranaryan at the governor’s house at 3 p.m.

Former chief minister and BJP leader Arjun Munda said, "We have given a list of 42 legislators to the governor staking claim to form the government."

The 42 MLAs include 18 each of JMM and BJP, five of the AJSU besides the lone MLA of Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch led by Bandhu Tirkey, Munda told reporters at Raj Bhavan.

Tirkey, however, was not present among the MLAs who met the Governor.

Asked about the two MLAs of JD(U), an ally of the BJP, Munda said the JD(U) legislature party would meet after which its decision would be conveyed to the BJP.

BJP Vice-President Karuna Shukla said her party has extended support to JMM chief Shibu Soren.

Asked whether the BJP would participate in the government or give support from outside, she said, "We have just given a letter of support to JMM chief Shibu Soren. We will decide after the Governor invites Soren to form the government."

In the fractured verdict in the assembly polls for 81 seats, Cong-JVM(P) combine secured 25 seats, followed by BJP-JD(U) alliance (20), JMM (18) and AJSU (5).