BJP withdraws support to Soren government

RANCHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday withdrew support to the Shibu Soren-led government in Jharkhand, reducing it to a minority and plunging the state into another phase of uncertainty.

The BJP has a strength of 18 in the 81-member assembly and the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) also has 18 members. The All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) has five members and the Janata Dal-United two.

The BJP's decision would lead the state into another spell of political crisis.

On Saturday, Soren had said he was weighing all options, including a deal with the Congress to continue in power.

The Congress is, however, adopting a wait and watch approach on the issue.