JMM seeks time to form government

JMM chief Shibu Soren, his son Hemant Soren and other leaders met Governor Syed Ahmad at 11.30 a.m.

"We had requested the governor to give us some more time for formation of the government in the state," said Hemant Soren while talking to reporters here.

Hemant Soren returned here Friday night after meeting Congress leaders in Delhi. He said that the Congress would decide about the formation of an alternative government.

The 28-month BJP-led Arjun Munda government fell after JMM withdrew support Jan 8. The Munda cabinet had recommended dissolution of the state assembly.

The state Congress unit has yet to get concrete assurance from the Congress high command, say party sources.

Jharkhand Congress legislators and leaders are in favour of the formation of the alternative government.

JMM has been exploring the possibility of forming a government in the state with Congress backing.

Jharkhand Congress legislators, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and some independents could support an alternative government led by the JMM.

If such an aggreement were to be arrived at, the Congress, RJD and independents, along with the JMM could attempt a coalition comprising 41 legislators.

Of the 82 legislators in the state, 37 are in favour of fresh polls.

The 37 include 18 of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), six of All Jharkhand Students' Union (AJSU), two of Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and 11 of the Jharkhand Vikas Morch-P (JVM-P).