The Hindu : Front Page : Governor installs Soren, NDA up in arms

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 03, 2005

Front Page

Front Page

Governor installs Soren, NDA up in arms

By D.P. Sharan

RANCHI, MARCH 2. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader, Shibu Soren, was today sworn in the third Chief Minister of Jharkhand at the Raj Bhavan here.

Earlier, even as both the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) claimed that they had the adequate number of MLAs to form the government, the Governor, Syed Sibtey Razi, met the five Independent MLAs individually to find out which coalition they supported. However, what transpired at the meeting between the Governor and the Independent MLAs was not made public.

Subsequently, Mr. Soren and the Union Minister, Subodh Kant Sahay, met Mr. Razi at the Raj Bhavan. Coming out of the two-hour-long meeting, they told presspersons that the UPA had not yet been invited to form the government.

Time till March 21 to prove majority

Later, the Governor's Secretariat confirmed the invitation to Mr. Soren and that he had been given time till March 21 to prove his majority on the floor of the House. At 5.10 p.m., Mr. Razi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Soren. Six other leaders — Stephen Marandi (Independent), Joba Manjhi and Bandhu Tirkey (UGDP), Girinath Singh and Annapurna Devi (RJD) and Kamlesh Kumar Singh (NCP) — were also sworn in Ministers.

Incidentally, no one from the Congress took the oath today. Mr. Marandi has been made the Deputy Chief Minister.

NDA leaders boycott swearing-in

NDA leaders, including the former Chief Minister, Arjun Munda, boycotted the function.

Later, talking to the press, Mr. Razi said he had invited the UPA after talking to the Independent MLAs and after evaluating which group could ensure a stable government. The number was important for proving the majority on the floor of the House, and not just to decide on the invitation.

Mr. Razi claimed that had the number been the only criteria to invite parties to form the government, there would be no need for a Governor. He said that he had performed his duties "judiciously" in inviting the UPA.

The NDA has called a "Jharkhand bandh" tomorrow in protest against the Governor's action. Even today, its supporters staged protests in and around Ranchi. The local administration, however, claimed that the situation was under control.