Congress to join new Jharkhand government

Congress today said it will join the new Jharkhand government to be formed under the leadership of JMM leader Hemant Soren.

'On the advice of our national leadership, PCC President Sukdhdeo Bhagat announced that Congress Legislature Party leader Rajendra Prasad Singh would take oath as a minister in the event of Governor Syed Ahmed inviting JMM leader Hemant Soren to take oath as the chief minister tomorrow,' PCC spokesman Sailesh Kumar Sinha told reporters here.

Raj Bhavan is waiting for a formal communication from the Centre after the Union cabinet yesterday recommended revocation of President's rule in the state. Soren staked claim on July 9 to form government with the support of 43 MLAs in the 82-member house.

'The RJD has already announced its willingness to join the government. Our legislature party leader Annapurna Devi has been cleared by the party leadership to take oath as and when the governor invites Soren for the swearing-in ceremony,' RJD's state unit spokesman Manoj Kumar said.

As of now, JMM-LP leader Hemant Soren, who is set to head the ninth coalition government in Jharkhand, would expand the ministry apparently after the floor test, sources in the JMM said.

As per the constitutional provision, Jharkhand can have a maximum of 12 ministers.