JMM seeks 5.30 p.m. appointment with governor

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has sought an appointment to meet Governor Syed Ahmed at 5.30 p.m. Tuesday, a likely move to stake claim to form the government in the state, party sources said.

"JMM has sought an appointment to meet the governor at 5.30 p.m. today (Tuesday)," a Raj Bhavan source told IANS.

Sources in the JMM said the party has managed the magic number and chief ministerial candidate Hemant Soren would stake claim to form the government.

According to the JMM sources, five legislators either belonging to regional parties or Independents like Bandhu Tirkey, Chamra Linda, Videsh Singh, Arup Chatterji and Harinarayan Rai have extended their support to the party.

Another Independent legislator, Geeta Koda, wife of former chief minister Madhu Koda, is also likely to extend support to the JMM, they added.

The sources said that a meeting with the parties supporting the JMM has been called at 4 p.m. at party chief Shibu Soren's house here. Hemant Soren would leave for Raj Bhavan after the meeting.

The Congress party and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have already announced their support to the JMM-led government in the state.

In the 82-member assembly, the JMM, Congress and RJD respectively have 18, 13 and five. The JMM needs support of at least 42 legislators to form the government.

The six-month period of President's rule in the state ends July 18.