Congress core committee to decide on Jharkhand's fate

RANCHI: Congress today said the party's core committee was discussing the prospect of an alternative government in Jharkhand.

"The core committee is discussing it and I'll inform you the outcome," AICC leader Hariprasad told reporters when asked whether there was any prospect of a new government formation in alliance with the JMM.

"The party has always favoured popular government, but the President's Rule has been imposed following the fall of the previous government," said Hariprasad, the newly appointed in-charge of party's Jharkhand affairs.

The JMM, which had on January 8 withdrew support to the BJP-led government, is currently banking on the support of Congress and RJD to form a new dispensation.

Hemant Soren, JMM Legislature Party Leader and deputy chief minister in the erstwhile Arjun Munda government, had urged Governor Syed Ahmed to give him time to discuss with like-minded parties for an alternative dispensation soon after the collapse of BJP/JMM/Ajsu/JDU ruling coalition.

The delay, however, led the governor to recommend President's Rule keeping the state assembly under suspended animation and the central rule began from January 18.

RJD leaders have already said they would lend support if both the parties come together.

To stall the prospect of another government, BJP has begun courting arrest in different districts on different days demanding dissolution of house to seek fresh mandate.

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantric) head Babulal Marandi on June 18 met President Pranab Mukherjee and urged him to dissolve the House immediately.

The Sudesh Mahto's Ajsu Party has also been demanding that Jharkhand should go for fresh assembly elections.