Ranchi, August 25
Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibte Raz tonight invited JMM president Shibu Soren to form the government, Raj Bhawan sources said. The Governor has asked Soren to take floor test on or before September1.
Earlier in the day, armed with crucial support of four independents, including outgoing Chief Minister Madhu Koda, JMM supremo Shibu Soren today staked claim to form the new government in Jharkhand after cobbling a majority which also had the backing of the Congress and the RJD.
Soren (64), met Governor Syed Sibte 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. Soren staked claim in the presence of union minister and Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahai, Koda and Marandi among others at the Raj Bhawan.
JMM's student's wing head, Hemant Soren told mediapersons 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 four independent MLAs - Madhu Koda, Stephen Marandi, Harinarai Rai and Bhanu Pratap Sahi.
The Jharkhand assembly has an effective strength of 81 MLAs. After remaining rigid on not extending support to Soren for several days, Koda and Stephen relented today, handing over letters of support to Soren in the presence of RJD supremo and railway minister Lalu Prasad.
— PTI
