J'khand heads for hung house; Cong-JVM(P) leads in 10 seats

Congress-JVM(P) combine today won 10 assembly seats and was leading in 20 in Jharkhand while BJP- JD(U) alliance got 7 and was ahead in 17 as the state headed for a fractured verdict with JMM saying it would support any combine that makes its leader Shibu Soren the chief minister.

While JMM won 9 seats and was ahead in as many, regional parties JVM(P) and AJSU captured 4 and 3 respectively in the 81-member House. Congress on its own won 6 and BJP 12.

RJD got 2 while another regional party JBSP secured one seat. Others including an independent got 6.

"Our party's stand is whoever will support Guruji (Shibu Soren) for chief ministership, will get our support," JMM's Central Committee Secretary, Supriyo Bhattacharya told PTI.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad said in Patna, "The results are a victory for secular forces. We will explore the formation of a secular government in Jharkhand."

Asked whether he was in touch with Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Prasad said, "Let the final picture of the results emerge first, then only top leaders should discuss."

He suggested that the leaders of secular alliances -- Congress-JVM(P), RJD-LJP and JMM -- should sit together and explore installation of a secular government.

"I am content that the communal forces represented by BJP have been wiped out with the people rejecting both BJP and JD(U)," he said.

Former chief minister and JVM(P) president Babulal Marandi gave a call for support to the alliance between his party and the Congress and expressed confidence in forming the next government in the state.