Hours after BJP announced that it will form a new government in Jharkhand with support alliance partners JMM and AJSU, Chief Minister Shibu Soren claimed that the allies will share power on a rotational basis. Mr Soren replied in affirmative when asked whether the formula is to share power on a rotational basis. He was talking to reporters at Ranchi airport last night. <br/> State HRD Minister Hemlal Murmu and Agriculture Minister Mathura Prasad, both JMM leaders, said as per the decision arrived at, JMM will support BJP for half the tenure of the government and the remaining half will be run by JMM. Asked when Mr Soren would resign as Chief Minister, Mr Murmu said after BJP chooses its leader, the JMM will decide when Mr Soren will resign or when the next government will take the oath. <br/> Reacting to it, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharam said party is not aware of this but made it clear the understanding arrived at the meeting was that only the BJP will be heading the new coalition government. BJP sources indicated there could be rethink to form a government if JMM insisted on rotating chief ministership. Earlier, Mr Anant Kumar announced that a A BJP-led NDA government will be formed in Jharkhand. He said a stable government which stands for development will be formed. The meeting was attended by BJP President Nitin Gadkari, Ananth Kumar, Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Raghubar Das, JMM Legislature Party leader Hemant Soren and AJSU President Sudesh Mahato <br/> Meanwhile, Mr Gadkari has justified the decision of the party to again join hands with the JMM in the formation of the Jharkhand government. Talking to reporters in Shimla, he said the JMM has realised its mistake. He said, to stop the Congress from coming to power, the only option was to form BJP government with the help of the JMM. Mr Gadkari, however, refused to comment on the rotation formula between the two parties. <br/><br/>
News On AIR | May 9, 2010 8:31 AM
Allies will share power in Jharkhand on a rotational basis claims Shibu Soren