Shibu Soren resigns

Three-time Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren resigned on Sunday night after failing to get the support of Congress and its ally Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (P) ahead of Monday’s trust vote in the assembly that may pave the way for a spell of President’s rule in the state.

The beleaguered chief minister, who has only 25 MLAs behind him in the 82—member house, submitted the letter to Governor M. O. H. Farooq shortly after 10 pm at Raj Bhavan. Mr. Soren needs to muster strength of 42 to sail through the trust vote.

Mr. Farooq asked Mr. Soren to continue as caretaker Chief Minster till further arrangement, the principal secretary to Governor, Sudhir Tripathi said.

66—year—old Soren’s resignation came after he and his deputy Sudesh Mahto failed to woo the BJP back into the fold ever since the 18—member BJP along with 2 from JD(U) withdrew support to his five—month—old government on May 24.

“We appealed to all parties and MLAs to rise above party lines and vote in favour of Guruji (Soren) and avert President’s rule or mid—term polls. But when we learnt that all the parties have resolved to vote against the government, we decided that Guruji should put in his papers,” AJSU President and Deputy Chief Minister Sudesh Mahto and Agriculture minister Hemlal Murmu told newsmen.

JMM legislative party leader and Soren’s son Hemant Soren, said “We tried our best and appealed to all parties. If Guruji’s remaining as CM was a hurdle, that has been removed now.”

“We will see what better alternative is on cards,” the leaders said when asked about the JMM/AJSU’s future course of action.