Arjun Munda resigned as chief minister of Jharkhand on Tuesday, after the Shibu Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) withdrew support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in the state.
While the JMM supports the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre, it had an alliance with the BJP in Jharkhand. Congress leaders have already started discussions with Soren on forming a government in the state.
Differences between the BJP and the JMM were visible for long. In the last three months, these differences grew, with Soren seeking greater freedom in the functioning of departments held by JMM ministers. Soren also wanted the BJP to honour its commitment of power-sharing. When the BJP and the JMM had formed the government on September 10, 2010, it was decided the BJP would rule the state for the first half of the term, while JMM would do so in the second.
“I have submitted the Cabinet’s decision recommending the governor to dissolve the House, along with my resignation,” said Munda.
In the 82-member Assembly (81 elected and one nominated by the governor), the BJP has the support of 18 members of the Assembly (MLAs), while the JMM also has the support of 18 MLAs.
During the BJP-JMM tussle, BJP president Nitin Gadkari had spoken to Soren, offering to discuss various issues so that the state government could continue functioning without any hurdle. However, Soren sought nothing less than Munda being removed from the chief minister’s post.
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In 2010, Gadkari and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh had played an active role in the formation of the state government. However, this time, Gadkari was said he wouldn’t replace Munda as chief minister. Most senior BJP leaders, including L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Yashwant Sinha, hadn’t favoured joining hands with the JMM.
“Arjun Munda has already recommended the dissolution of the assembly, as no party enjoys a clear majority and a fresh election is the only alternative,” said BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar.
However, the opposition Congress is not ready to accept Munda’s recommendations. The BJP alleged the Congress was in talks with Soren and was trying to form a government in the state. The Congress has the support of 13 MLAs, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal, another UPA ally, has five MLAs in the state assembly.
“It is not binding on Governor Syed Ahmed to accept the recommendation of a minority government. After the withdrawal of support by the JMM, it was crystal clear the BJP-led government had been reduced to a minority,” said Shakeel Ahmed, in charge of the Congress’ affairs in Jharkhand. He argued the party would await the governor’s decision before deciding a course of action.
The BJP’s woes are not limited to Jharkhand. In Karnataka, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa claimed he had the support of about 50 BJP MLAs.