Will stake claim after managing magic numbers: JMM

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren Saturday said that his party would stake claim to form government only after managing the required majority in the state assembly.

"The government would be formed only after ensuring a majority. Talks are on with other parties. Congress's Jharkhand in-charge B.K. Hariprasad and RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) chief Lalu Yadav have assured their support," Soren told reporters here.

He said that talks were on with independent legislators as well "in establishing a democratic government in the state".

According to Soren, the JMM has managed support of 36 legislators in the 82-member Jharkhand assembly.

The JMM leader returned to the state capital Ranchi earlier in the afternoon after holding talks with the central leaders of the Congress party in Delhi.

JMM sources said that some of the independent legislators want berth in the cabinet. However, the Congress and JMM are against inducting any independent legislators in the cabinet.

The JMM is expected to form government with support from the Congress and RJD after six months of the president rule ends in the state July 18.