Jharkhand: Koda sticks to CM chair, Soren scrambles for numbers

RANCHI/NEW DELHI: Jharkhand appeared to be heading towards a spell of political uncertainty with the JMM, which withdrew its support to the ruling coalition in the state on Sunday, failing to enlist the support of the RJD and the group of smaller parties and independents in an attempt to muster the numbers.

A day after the 17-member JMM pulled out of the Madhu Koda government, Mr Shibu Soren was still well short of the numbers required to help him cross the half-way mark of 41 in the 81-member Assembly. He was, however, hopeful of securing the backing of the independents and the RJD in the coming days. ``They���ll have no choice but to support our bid,������ said a senior JMM leader.

The other big player in the state, the NDA, on its part, made it clear that it was gearing up early elections. ``We demand that elections be held soon in Jharkhand to end the spell of uncertainty,������ BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad told newspersons after a meeting of his party���s central officebearers here on Monday evening.

Mr Koda, who found his government reduced to a minority on Sunday, met Governor Syed Sibtey Razi in Ranchi on Monday. The chief minister remained defiant, and said he���d prove his majority on the floor of the House.

``The Governor asked me to keep his views with regard to majority in the wake of the JMM���s withdrawal of support. I told him that despite the JMM move, I���ll prove my majority on the floor of the House,������ Mr Koda told newspersons after meeting the governor in Ranchi.

The session of the state assembly, he said, had already been convened from September 19. ``It���s up to the Governor���s conscience whether to cut down its duration or extend it,������ the chief minister said.

All eyes are now on the Raj Bhavan. There was no word from the Raj Bhavan till filing of the report. A Raj Bhavan official merely said: ���The Governor has taken note of the demand of the chief minister. He is consulting constitutional experts and will take a decision soon.���

The RJD, which has seven members in the state assembly, and independents such as deputy chief minister Stephen Marandi have emerged as the main stumbling blocks in the JMM chief���s endeavour to reclaim power in the state. The Congress, which has a strength of nine, too has left Mr Soren to fend for himself.