Thaindian News

Ranchi, June 12 (IANS) Legislators from various parties in Jharkhand do not favour mid-term polls or the continuation of president’s rule imposed June 1 after Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren resigned as chief minister.
Around eight Congress legislators are currently in New Delhi, trying to convince the central leaders to initiate the process of forming a government in the state.

“No legislator wants election in the state,” Congress legislative party leader Rajendra Prasad Singh told reporters Saturday.

“The Congress is not against formation of an alternative government in the state. But the Congress and its alliance partner Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) do not have the numbers,” he said.

The Congress, according to sources, is waiting for the JMM to approach the party to form government in the state.

“Our central party leaders are not ready to accept any dictates from the JMM,” Singh told IANS.

Few JMM legislators are also not in favour of fresh election in the state. “Our effort is to bring the parties on one platform to form a government in the state,” said Simon Marandi a JMM legislator.

“It is not proper to go in for fresh election after five months of assembly polls. The big political parties should take up the responsibility for formation of government,” said Annapurna Devi a Rashtriya Janata Dal legislator.

Samresh Singh, a legislator of JVM-P, said that the Congress should initiate the process to form government in the state by announcing his party chief Babulal Marandi as the chief ministerial nominee.

“No one wants election in the state. We will boycott the Rajya Sabha election if the Congress fails to initiate the process to form government under the leadership of Marandi,” said Singh.

Even Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators are disappointed with their central party leaders for not making efforts to form a government in the state and are wary of fresh election.

“The central leaders should try to strengthen the party before facing election. Election is no option and party will face a tough time if a mid-term poll takes place,” said a BJP legislator on the condition of anonymity.

Jharkhand was placed under president’s rule June 1 after JMM chief Shibu Soren resigned as chief minister May 30.

The JMM-led five-month-old government was propped up by the BJP with 18 members, the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) with five legislators and the Janata Dal-United’s two members.

The Congress has 14 members, the JVM-P 11, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal five legislators. There also are five Independents.

The JMM-led government was reduced to minority after the BJP withdrew support May 24.

Jharkhand was plunged into political uncertainty when Soren voted against the BJP’s cut motions in parliament last month to favour the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government.

According to political experts, political parties may make efforts to form a government in the state after Rajya Sabha election scheduled June 17.