The Hindu : Front Page : Soren to seek vote of confidence by September 1

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 26, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Soren to seek vote of confidence by September 1

— Photo: PTI

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Shibu Soren being offered sweets by the outgoing Chief Minister Madhu Koda as Railway Minister Lalu Prasad looks on, in Ranchi on Monday.

RANCHI: Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibtey Razi on Monday invited the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) supremo Shibu Soren to form the government, capping days of political manoeuvrings.

Mr. Soren (64) will decide the date when he would like to be sworn in Chief Minister, but Raj Bhavan sources said he had been asked by the Governor to seek a trust vote on or before September 1.

The Governor’s invite came hours after the leader of the 17-member JMM, armed with the crucial support of four Independents including outgoing Chief Minister Madhu Koda, staked claim to form the government after cobbling a majority which also had the backing of the Congress and the RJD.

Mr. Soren will become Chief Minister for the second time during the term of the existing Assembly.

After assuming office in March 2005, the tribal leader had to resign within nine days after failing to muster a majority in the House.

Mr. Soren met Mr. Razi and submitted a list of 42 legislators supporting him after obtaining letters of support from reluctant Independent MLAs Madhu Koda and Stephen Marandi, the outgoing Deputy Chief Minister.

Mr. Soren staked his claim in the presence of Union Minister and Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahai, Mr. Koda and Mr. Marandi, among others, at the Raj Bhavan.

“I have submitted a signed list of 42 MLAs,” Mr. Soren said before being asked to form the government.

The JMM’s student’s wing head Hemant Soren told journalists that the list comprised legislators from JMM (17), Congress (9), RJD (7), United Goan Democratic Party (2), Jharkhand Party (1), Nationalist Congress Party (1), Forward Bloc (1) and Independent (4). — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page