Six govts in 8 years: Jharkhand learns to live with instability

NEW DELHI: Political instability appears to have become synonymous with Jharkhand which has seen six governments in a span of eight years.

Ever since the state was carved out of Bihar in November 2000, a stable government has remained elusive with JMM chief Shibu Soren holding the reins of the state for as brief a period as ten days in 2005.

Even the longest serving Chief Minister Babulal Marandi could last for little over two years and was forced to pave the way for his BJP colleague Arjun Munda in the face of strident criticism of his style of functioning by rebel MLAs.

The first assembly elections in 2005 threw up a hung house and saw Soren taking over the mantle of the state.

However, his chair turned out to be shaky as Soren could remain in the saddle for just 10 days.

Failing to muster support on the floor of the House, he bowed out of office and the BJP once again came to power, with Arjun Munda this time again heading the government which lasted for barely one and half years.

Rebellion again stared the fledgling government at its face and Munda was toppled by an independent MLA Madhu Koda -- a dark horse backed by UPA parties, Congress and RJD, besides some independents.