Soren refrains from saying whether JMM is still in UPA

A file picture of JMM leader Shibu Soren. Photo: PTI

JMM chief Shibu Soren on Saturday refrained from giving a clear reply as to whether his party was still part of the UPA in Jharkhand.

“It appears that the UPA is in tatters in the state. Only time will clear the air,” Mr. Soren said when asked if his party was a UPA ally in the state.

The JMM’s executive committee has already announced that it would contest all the 81 Assembly seats.

Demanding immediate dissolution of the House which is in suspended animation as the state was under President’s Rule since January, Mr. Soren wanted to know when the House would be dissolved and poll dates announced.

“The Assembly should have been dissolved much earlier enabling elections and formation of a new government. Had the Governor been neutral he would have dissolved it by now,” Mr. Soren said at the launch of his party’s website.

The JMM chief had led the UPA government for four months till he resigned on January 12.

Mr. Soren, who was not a member of the Assembly when he became the Chief Minister, resigned after he was defeated in bypolls to the Tamar seat.

This was followed by imposition of President’s Rule on January 19.