Hoping to form the government of its own with the support of Independents and other parties, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Shibu Soren along with three ministers withdrew support to the Madhu Koda government on Sunday evening. With this, the 23-month-old Madhu Koda government reduced to minority.
A letter of withdrawal of support signed by 25-member delegation led by Soren was submitted to Governor Syed Sibtey Razi last evening urging him to explore the possibility of forming an alternative form of government. Soren as well as Koda refused to comment on the possibility of President Rule in the state saying other options were still open.
Koda, who once was willing to offer CM chair to Soren at the time of Confidence Motion faced by UPA government at the Centre, appeared now reluctant to quit in favour of Guruji. He refused to quit the CM chair and said his government was still enjoying a majority in the House. He, however, did not deny the possibility of calling a trial of strength on the floor of the House which could decide the fate of his government.
To a query about his U-turn, Koda said he was ready for any “sacrifice in the interest of UPA unity and not for Soren.”
The key to survival of continuing government or forming a new one remains with the UPA. Knowingly well, the Koda camp as well as the Soren group are expected to visit Delhi to lobby Sonia Gandhi and Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Koda said the decision by JMM chief was taken in haste and without consulting UPA leaders comprising Chairperson and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and the RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. He would raise the issue at UPA forum, he said.
Justifying his action, Soren claimed the party was eventually resorted to pull out support after Koda refused to quit, even though the UPA leadership wanted him to. He said his party supported the UPA against the confidence motion on the condition of two ministerial berths. But he was more willing to head the state facing acute problems in the light of deteriorating law and order and spurt in Naxalite violence.
The coalition government led by Koda is standing at the edge of collapse after the JMM’s pull out. In a House of 81, the coalition government was enjoying the majority with just 42 MLAs. But, after withdrawing support by the 17 JMM MLAs the government has come into trouble. The Chief Minister Madhu Koda-an Independent was also being supported from outside by Congress (9) and the RJD (7). Besides, five Independents and four legislators of smaller parties were also backing his government.
Soren who appeared quite distant from magical number of 42, could manage 33 with the help of the Congress and RJD. Besides, the party was also claiming to have the back of four MPs and the party’s central committee. But, he would also need the support of some Independents. The way to his chief ministerialship could be apparently clear if the BJP support him. BJP, which was ready to give the JMM chief the chief minister’s chair on the condition of voting against the UPA during Confidence Motion in the Lok Sabha, seems in no mood now.
Since 2005 legislative elections, Jharkhand is facing constant political uncertainty. Shibu Soren of JMM ascended the throne of the state by constitutional means in the 2005 state elections on March 02, 2005. But, he had to step down just after 10 days in the wake of having no majority. On March 12, Arjun Munda of Bhartiya Janata Party replaced him but could survive a mere one-and-half-year. On September 18, 2006, Madhu Koda-an Independent dethroned him and was heading the state. Again the ongoing uncertainty in Jharkhand is heading to change the ruler for the fourth time within four years.
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