Jharkhand Cabinet recommends dissolution of assembly

This, a day after JMM withdrew support to the BJP-led govt

Jharkhand Cabinet today decided to recommend dissolution of the state assembly to prevent any "horse trading-like situation", a day after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) withdrew its support to the BJP-led government.

"Seven ministers (of the coalition government) were present during the Cabinet meeting, and have decided to recommend dissolution of the state assembly," Chief Minister Arjun Munda told PTI here.

He said the decision was taken as no national party had openly come forward to provide an alternative government in the wake of JMM's announcement to pull out of the government.

"We have sought time from Governor Syed Ahmed at 11.30 AM to inform him about the Cabinet decision," Munda, who took over the reins on September 11, 2010, said.

Meanwhile, Raj Bhavan sources said JMM has submitted its letter of withdrawal of support to the Arjun Munda-led BJP government.

JMM leader and Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren had said yesterday that the decision to withdraw support was taken at the party's executive committee meeting after talking to several BJP leaders, including its Jharkhand affairs in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan.

In the 82-member state assembly, BJP and JMM have 18 members each and the Munda government enjoys the support of six members of All Jharkhand Students' Union, two of JD (U), two independents and one nominated member who has voting right in trial of strength.

Opposition Congress has a total of 13 members, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha(P) 11 and RJD 5 members in the assembly.

JMM had put before the BJP 'over phone' certain issues, including the "ruling by rotation". The 28-month limit for ruling by BJP, according to the tribal party, ends on January 10.

Relations between BJP and JMM have come under strain since the Chief Minister, in a written reply to a letter from JMM on January 3, rejected that there was an agreement between the two parties on "rotation of power" after 28 months in office.

JMM, however, insisted there had been an agreement to share power. Hemant Soren had in a letter to Munda on December 25 asked him to clarify BJP's stand on the issue.

Hemant Soren had said that "if BJP considers them (the issues) positively, then the JMM can even consider its withdrawal of support."

He had said the issues are, "A senior BJP MP from Santhal Pargana has been giving baseless statements against the JMM leadership, which is intolerable. There is no coordination in the alliance."