Ranchi: A day after Chief Minister Arjun Munda quit, Jharkhand seems to be heading towards President’s rule — for the third time in 12 years.
Governor Syed Ahmad on Tuesday night sent his report to the central home ministry, and Home Minister Sushilkumar Sinde confirmed in New Delhi that he had received it.
According to informed sources, President’s rule would be imposed in the state, and a decision to dissolve the 82-member assembly would be taken later.
Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Munda resigned as chief minister on Tuesday after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) formally pulled out of the coalition ministry.
The JMM decided to end its alliance with the BJP after the latter refused to share the chief minister’s post with it although both parties had an equal number of legislators.
Jharkhand has witnessed President’s Rule twice since it was carved out of Bihar in 2000. On both occasions, JMM chief Shibu Soren was the chief minister. Yesterday, Congress Ranchi MP Subodh Kant Sahay met the governor and requested him to ignore the outgoing cabinet’s suggestion to dissolve the house.
But Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM-P) president and former chief Minister Babulal Marandi told the governor to order elections after dissolving the assembly. The BJP reiterated the demand. RJD president Lalu Yadav in Patna said the assembly should be kept in suspended animation and President’s Rule should be imposed. IANS
