RANCHI: The political crisis in Jharkhand deepened on Tuesday with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha formally withdrawing support from the Arjun Munda-led NDA government and the cabinet recommending the dissolution of the assembly to the governor.
Munda called an emergency meeting and apprised governor Syed Ahmed of the cabinet decision just an hour before JMM chief Shibu Soren met the governor with his 18 MLAs, and handed over a formal letter of withdrawal of support.
Shortly after Soren's visit, Munda and his MLAs from BJP, AJSU Party and JD(U) trooped in and handed over his resignation to the governor. Accepting Munda's resignation, governor Ahmed asked him to continue until an alternate arrangement was made.
"In the interest of the state, the cabinet has decided to dissolve the assembly and seek fresh mandate," Munda said, adding that the cabinet's move will prevent any possibility of horse trading by opportunist parties.
Shibu Soren said the step taken by Munda was unethical and constitutionally invalid. With JMM withdrawing support, the BJP-led NDA government has support of only 26 MLAs in the 81-member assembly.
"How can a government in minority recommend the dissolution of the assembly?" asked deputy CM Hemant Soren, also the leader of JMM legislative party. The party, he said, has requested the governor to not accept the cabinet's recommendation.
Munda justified his move and said the governor was informed of the cabinet's decision before JMM leaders formally withdrew support. "JMM is claiming that it made a public announcement and even sent a fax to the governor, but as far as I know such important letters cannot be faxed and have to physically submitted to the governor," he said.
Arjun Munda resigns, seeks dissolution of Jharkhand assembly
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Arjun Munda resigns, seeks dissolution of Jharkhand assembly
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Arjun Munda resigns, seeks dissolution of Jharkhand assembly
